Efficacy and safety of anticholinergics for children or adolescents with idiopathic overactive bladder: systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction and hypothesis

Anticholinergics have been established for their efficacy and safety in adults with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (OAB-s) but not in children and adolescents. This study was aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of anticholinergics in children and adolescents with idiopathic OAB-s.

Method

A total of nine studies with 11 trials comprising of 1801 subjects (1116 experimental and 685 controls) were included. Inclusion criteria were idiopathic OAB-s in children or adolescents. Overall SMD of change in diurnal urge incontinence per week, change in mean voiding frequency per 24 h, change in mean voided volume, and incidence of adverse events compared with placebo were investigated.

Results

Overall SMD of diurnal urge incontinence per week for the anticholinergic group (experimental group) vs. the placebo group (control group) was ??0.15 (95% CI ??0.31, 0.01). Overall SMD of mean voiding frequency per 24 h was ??0.16 (95% CI ??0.33, 0.02). Overall SMD of mean voided volume was 0.49 (95% CI 0.10, 0.88). The overall incidence of any AEs of anticholinergics compared with placebo was OR?=?1.06 (95% CI 0.84–1.34) (p?=?0.637). Among each AEs, the only incidence of urinary tract infection showed a higher incidence rate for anticholinergics (OR?=?1.92, 95% CI 1.06–3.49) than for placebo.

Conclusions

Apart from oxybutynin, other anticholinergics showed efficacy including an increase in mean voided volume. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the incidence of overall adverse events between anticholinergics and placebo.

     

Effects and safety of lanthanum carbonate in end stage renal disease patients with hyperphosphatemia: a meta-analysis – system review of lanthanum carbonate

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effect and safety of lanthanum carbonate (LC) for hypophosphatemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods: According to the collaborative review group search strategy, we searched MEDLINE (1996 to 2012.12); EBCO (1996 to 2012.12), and CNKI. We searched Chinese journals by hand. We conducted quality assessment and data extraction by two independent investigators. Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.0. Results were expressed as OR with 95% confidence interval for dichotomous outcomes and WMD with 95% confidence interval for continuous outcomes. Result: We identified 16 reports which might meet the inclusion criteria for our review. The meta-analysis showed that LC was superior to placebo in treating hypophosphatemia of end-stage renal disease patients (OR?=?5.46, 95% CI: 2.37 to 2.61, p?<?0.005) and as efficient as conventional therapies (WMD?=??0.06, 95% CI: ?0.27 to 0.15, p?=?0.57). The incidence of all adverse events was similar between LC- and placebo-treated patients (OR?=?1.16, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.68, p?=?0.45). Conclusion: Lanthanum carbonate is well effective and tolerated in treating hyperphosphatemia of ESRD patients. Lanthanum carbonate is not likely to cause hypercalcemia compared to calcium-based phosphate binders.     

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism with type 1 diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism on type 1 diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods: Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of science, Wanfang data, VIP database, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and SinoMed were searched. A total of 17 case–control studies analyzing ACE I/D polymorphism and type 1 DN risk were included in the present meta-analysis.

Results: Overall, a significant increased risk was found in allele comparison (OR?=?1.16, 95% CI?=?1.05–1.28, p?=?0.04), dominant comparison (OR?=?1.56, 95% CI?=?1.14–2.15, p?=?0.006) and homozygote comparison (OR?=?1.52, 95% CI?=?1.06–2.19, p?=?0.02). In subgroup analyses according to ethnicity, the risk of type 1 DN in Asian population was increased in allele comparison (OR?=?1.98, 95% CI?=?1.15–3.42, p?=?0.01), recessive comparison (OR?=?2.48, 95% CI?=?1.51–4.10, p?=?0.0004), dominant comparison (OR?=?3.15, 95% CI?=?1.90–5.23, p?p?=?0.05). However, there was no association between the ACE I/D genetic variants and type 1 DN in Caucasian populations.

Conclusions: Our meta-analysis results indicate that the ACE I/D polymorphism may contribute to type 1 DN development, especially in the Asian groups with type 1 diabetes. The current findings need to be confirmed by future well-designed and larger sample size primary studies in populations with different ethnicities.     

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 versus autogenous iliac crest bone graft for lumbar fusion: a meta-analysis of ten randomized controlled trials

Background

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) as a substitute for iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) has been increasingly widely used in lumbar fusion. It has been proven non-inferior in fusion success and clinical outcomes when compared with ICBG. However, increasingly, some potentially uncommon and serious complications associated with the use of rhBMP-2 have been of great concern to surgeons. The purpose of this study was to determine whether rhBMP-2 could be considered an effective and, more importantly, a relatively safe substitute for ICBG in lumbar fusion.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials that compared rhBMP-2 with ICBG for lumbar fusion were identified by computer and manual searching. The risk of bias and clinical relevance of the included studies were assessed. Publication bias was explored using funnel plot and statistical tests (Egger??s test and Begg??s test). Meta-analyses were performed using the Cochrane systematic review methods.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials (1,342 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Compared with ICBG, the use of rhBMP-2 significantly decreased the risk of fusion failure at all time intervals (6?months: p?<?0.0001, RR?=?0.55, 95?% CI?=?0.42?C0.72; 12?months: p?=?0.0003, RR?=?0.53, 95?% CI?=?0.37?C0.75; 24?months: p?<?0.00001, RR?=?0.31, 95?% CI?=?0.21?C0.46) and the rate of reoperation (p?=?0.0001, RR?=?0.52, 95?% CI?=?0.37?C0.72). There was no statistical difference in clinical improvement on the Oswestry Disability Index, although a favorable trend in the rhBMP-2 group was found (p?=?0.12, RR?=?0.73, 95?% CI?=?0.49?C1.08). Subgroup analyses stratified by the type of surgical procedure yielded similar results. Owing to the different data formats, meta-analysis on adverse events was not performed.

Conclusion

RhBMP-2 was superior to the ICBG for achieving fusion success and avoiding reoperation. However, evidence from the Food and Drug Administration document and subsequent independent studies has demonstrated that original, industry-sponsored trials underestimated rhBMP-2-related adverse events. There are still security risks in the use of rhBMP-2.     

Meta-analysis of statin therapy in maintenance dialysis patients

Abstract

The effects of statin therapy in patients on maintenance dialysis remained uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of statin on major clinical outcomes. We systematically searched Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Chinese Technological Journal of Database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Criteria for inclusion were RCTs on statins therapy versus placebo, >3 months of follow-up. The outcomes were serum level of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and albumin (ALB), all cardiac events, cardiovascular deaths and all-cause mortality. Twenty-one trials were identified, providing data for 8186 patients on maintenance dialysis. Statin therapy reduced LDL-C (weighted mean difference [WMD]?=??0.74?mmol/L; 95%CI [?0.96,??0.52], p?<?0.00001), TG (WMD?=??0.36?mmol/L; 95%CI [?0.57,??0.14], p?=?0.001), and hs-CRP (WMD?=??3.98?mg/L; 95%CI [?5.24,??2.72], p?<?0.00001), elevated HDL-C (WMD?=?0.25?mmol/L; 95%CI [0.10,?0.39], p?=?0.0007) and ALB (WMD?=?1.70?g/L; 95%CI [0.19,?3.21], p?=?0.03) significantly comparing with placebo. Statin therapy also had benefit in reducing all cardiac events (relative risk [RR]?=?0.90; 95%CI [0.83,?0.97], p?=?0.006), but had no effect on cardiovascular deaths (RR?=?0.97; 95%CI [0.88,?1.07], p?=?0.54) or all-cause mortality (RR?=?0.98; 95%CI [0.93,?1.04], p?=?0.49). In conclusion, statins had no impact on all-cause or cardiovascular mortality, while there was an overall significant improvement for dyslipidemia, hs-CRP, hypoalbuminemia and cardiovascular events in dialysis patients.     

Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus versus corticosteroid as initial monotherapy in adult-onset minimal change disease: a meta-analysis

Objective

The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) monotherapy versus corticosteroid as initial monotherapy in adult-onset minimal change disease (MCD) patients.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database were searched from the inception to March 20, 2021. Eligible studies comparing TAC monotherapy and corticosteroid as initial monotherapy for adult-onset MCD patients were included. Data were analyzed using Review Manager Version 5.3.

Results

Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 196 patients were included in the meta-analysis. For initial monotherapy for adult-onset MCD, TAC and corticosteroid had similar complete remission (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.47–2.41, P?=?0.89), total remission (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.39–4.35, P?=?0.67), relapse rate (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.28–1.42, P?=?0.26). Main drug-related adverse effects of two therapeutic regimens had no difference concerning infection (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.23–1.27, P?=?0.15), glucose intolerance (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.16–1.84, P?=?0.33) and acute renal failure (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.36–7.31, P?=?0.71).

Conclusion

TAC monotherapy is comparable with corticosteroid monotherapy in initial therapy of MCD. To further confirm the conclusion, more large multicenter RCTs are necessary.

     

Is hyperuricemia an independent prognostic factor for IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies

BackgroundHyperuricemia has been reported to be correlated with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, whether hyperuricemia or elevated serum uric acid (SUA) is an independent prognostic factor of IgAN remains unknown. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic value of hyperuricemia and elevated SUA in IgAN.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Open Gray were reviewed systematically. The kidney failure events of IgAN were defined as a doubling of serum creatinine, halving of eGFR, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or death. The risk ratio (RR) between hyperuricemia and IgAN-caused kidney failure was evaluated before and after adjustment for relevant covariates. The RR between elevated SUA and IgAN-caused kidney failure was evaluated after adjustment for relevant covariates.ResultsA total of 11 548 patients from 14 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Hyperuricemia was found to be an independent prognostic factor of IgAN (unadjusted RR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.93–4.03, p for heterogeneity <0.00001, I² = 91%; adjusted RR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.64–2.73, p for heterogeneity = 0.86, I² = 0%). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of these results. Similarly, elevated SUA was positively correlated with kidney failure events of IgAN (adjusted RR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.19–1.31, p for heterogeneity = 0.6, I² = 0%).ConclusionOur meta-analysis showed that hyperuricemia and elevated SUA were both independently associated with an increased incidence of kidney failure events in IgAN patients.     

Feasibility of E-PASS score to predict postoperative complications in laparoscopic nephrectomy

Purpose

To evaluate the usefulness of E-PASS score to predict postoperative complications after laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2020, 424 patients (179 patients: simple nephrectomy, 158 patients: radical nephrectomy, 87 patients: donor nephrectomy) who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in our clinic, were included in the study. Patient groups separated according to the presence of postoperative complications were compared retrospectively regarding demographic, clinical, intraoperative, and postoperative data, comorbidities, and E-PASS scores (PRS, SSS, and CRS). The relationship between postoperative complications and E-PASS scores was examined.

Results

Postoperative complications occurred in 43 (10.1%) of the patients. Age, previous abdominal/retroperitoneal surgery, radical nephrectomy rate of surgeries, operation time, amount of bleeding, need for blood transfusion, rate of conversion from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery, hospitalization time, E-PASS PRS, SSS, and CRS were statistically significantly higher in the group with postoperative complications. The cutoff value of the E-PASS CRS was ? 0.2996 to predict the development of postoperative complications (AUC?=?0.706; 95% CI 0.629–0.783; p?<?0.001). According to multivariate analysis, presence of previous abdominal/retroperitoneal surgery (OR?2.977; 95% CI?1.502–5.899; p?=?0.002), laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (OR?2.518; 95% CI?1.224–5.179; p?=?0.012), conversion from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery (OR?4.869; 95% CI?1.046–22.669; p?=?0.044) and E-PASS CRS?>?? 0.2996 (OR?2.816; 95% CI?1.321–6.004; p?=?0.007) were found to be independent risk factors predicting postoperative complications.

Conclusion

The E-PASS scoring system is an effective and convenient system for predicting postoperative complications after laparoscopic nephrectomy.

     

Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy versus percutaneous nephrolithotomy for treatment of large renal pelvic calculi (diameter >2 cm): a meta-analysis

Objective: To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (LP) versus percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the treatment of renal pelvic calculi >2?cm.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar about LP and PCNL for the treatment of renal stones. The retrieval time ended in September 2015. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of all included studies. The available data in the studies were analyzed using the RevMan 5.2 software.

Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nine Non-Randomized Concurrent Controlled Trials (NRCCTs) were included, involving a total of 766 patients. This meta-analysis showed that LP has a statistically higher stone-free rate than PCNL [I^2?=?0, OR?=?0.26 (95% CI 0.10–0.64), p?=?0.003], lower drop in hemoglobin level [I^2?=^?0, difference in mean drop?=??0.83 (95% CI ?1.05 to ?0.61), p?I^2?=^?0, OR?=?0.36 (95% CI 0.14–0.89), p?=?0.03], and PCNL is associated with a lower length of hospital stay [I^2?=^?74%, difference in mean of hospital stay?=?0.72 (95% CI 0.04–1.40), p?=?0.04].

Conclusion: LP is an alternative for the treatment of large solitary renal stone. LP may have a higher stone-free rate, lesser blood loss, lower postoperation fever rate, while PCNL may have a lower length of hospital stay. However, further well designed and large volume randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.     

The efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive agents plus steroids compared with steroids alone in the treatment of Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis: A meta-analysis

Background

Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is the most severe symptom of Henoch–Schönlein purpura. The role of immunosuppressive agents combined with steroids is controversial in treating HSPN. Our meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy in the treatment of HSPN compared with steroids alone.

Methods

Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the literatures. Odds ratios (OR) and standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for dichotomous and continuous variables. A random-effect model or fixed-effect analysis was applied according to heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 9 articles were selected in our study. HSPN patients treated with combined therapy demonstrated a significant increase in complete remission rates (OR?=?1.95; 95% CI 1.17–3.23, P?=?0.010) and total remission rates (OR?=?2.30 95% CI 1.33–3.98, P?=?0.003) when compared with steroids alone. Children seemed to benefit more from combined treatment (OR?=?2.45; CI 1.20–5.02, P?=?0.014) than adults (OR?=?1.56; CI 0.76–3.20, P?=?0.225). Additionally, immunosuppressants plus steroids had an advantage on decreasing proteinuria (SMD?=?0.28; CI 0.05–0.52, P?=?0.019) and increasing the level of serum albumin (SMD?=?0.98; CI 0.35–1.60, P?=?0.002). However, significant differences were not found in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and rates of side-effects.

Conclusion

Administration of immunosuppressive agents combined with steroids may be a superior alternative for HSPN. Nevertheless, long-term, high-quality, large-sample, and multicenter RCTs are required to make the results more convincing.

     

Total parathyroidectomy versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation for secondary hyperparathyroidism: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Total parathyroidectomy (tPTX) and total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (tPTX?+?AT) are effective and inexpensive treatments for secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), but we do not know which one is the optimal approach. Therefore, we undertook a meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of these two surgical procedures.

Methodology: Studies published in English on PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception to 27 September 2016 were searched systematically. Eligible studies comparing tPTX with tPTX?+?AT for sHPT were included and Review Manager v5.3 was used.

Results: Eleven studies were included in this meta-analysis. Ten cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 1108 patients with sHPT were identified. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of surgical complications (relative risk [RR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77–3.79; p?=?.19), all-cause mortality (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.33–1.39; p?=?.29), sHPT persistence (RR, 3.81; 95% CI, 0.56–25.95; p?=?.17) or symptomatic improvement (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.91–1.13; p?=?.79). tPTX could reduce the risk of sHPT recurrence (RR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.09–0.41; p?p?=?.01) compared with tPTX?+?AT. Simultaneously, tPTX increased the risk of hypoparathyroidism (RR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.06–6.51; p?=?.04).

Conclusions: We found tPTX and tPTX?+?AT to be useful methods for sHPT treatment. tPTX was superior for reducing the risk of sHPT recurrence and reoperation than tPTX?+?AT but, due to a lack of high statistical-power RCTs, comparative studies will be needed in the future.     

Acute kidney injury following SGLT2 inhibitors among diabetic patients: a pharmacovigilance study

Purpose

The sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have changed the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several studies evaluated SGLT2 inhibitor-related acute kidney injury (AKI), but pharmacoepidemiology studies are needed to compare the adverse events in different SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i).

Methods

We used disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis in data mining to screen the AKI cases after initiating different SGLT2i among diabetic patients, based on the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) updated to December 2020. We also investigated the onset time and fatality rates of SGLT2i-associated AKI, which was based on preferred terms (PTs) coded for the renal adverse events in the structure of the FARES database.

Results

We identified 2483 cases of AKI following SGLT2i regimens among diabetic patients. Most of them were 45–64 years old (58.46%) and?>?65 years old (28.67%). Canagliflozin generated the largest number of AKI reports (n?=?1650, 66.45%) in our study. Canagliflozin showed the strongest association among SGLT2i, evidenced by the highest reporting odds ratio (ROR?=?3.70, two-sided 95% CI 3.51–3.91), proportional reporting ratio (PRR?=?3.39, χ²?=?2635.06), and empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM?=?3.18, one-sided 95% CI 3.04). The median onset time to AKI was 72.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 21.0–266.0) days after SGLT2i initiation. The general hospitalization rate of SGLT2i-associated AKI was 63.50%, and the fatality rate was 1.59%. The deceased patients (62.94?±?10.69 years) were significantly older than the survived ones (57.82?±?11.84 years) (P?=?0.011).

Conclusion

We compared AKI events in the real-world practice of various SGLT2i among diabetic cases from the FAERS database. It is essential to monitor kidney function during the early administration of SGLT2i. Concern should be paid for AKI in patients older than 65 taking SGLT2i.

     

Minimally Invasive Spine Lumbar Surgery in Obese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is the treatment of choice for lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The procedure can be performed through a traditional open approach (O-TLIF) or through minimally invasive techniques (MI-TLIF). Spinal surgeries in obese patients can pose risks, including increased rates of infection and thromboembolic events.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to systematically review the literature on the differences between MI-TLIF and O-TLIF in the obese patient in terms of complication rate, functional outcomes, blood loss, and length of hospital stay.

Methods

We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to systematically search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published through February 2019 and identified those comparing the outcomes of O-TLIF and MI-TLIF in obese patients. The primary outcome was complication rate (total, infections, dural tears); secondary outcomes were blood loss, length of hospital stay, and functional scores. Two authors independently reviewed the studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and data were pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model.

Results

In the sample of 430 patients, the average age was 53.5 years, there were 153 men and 203 women, and the average body mass index was 33.6. Complications were significantly higher in O-TLIF than in MI-TLIF (OR?=?0.420 [95% CI: 0.199, 0.887]; I²?=?45.20%). No difference was detected between the two groups for visual analog scale back pain scores and Oswestry Disability Index scores between the pre-operative and last follow-up visits (SMD?=?–0.034 [95% CI –0.695, 0.627]; I²?=?62.14% and SMD?=?0.617 [95% CI: –1.082, 2.316]; I²?=?25%, respectively). Blood loss was significantly lower in MI-TLIF compared to O-TLIF (SMD?=?–426.736 [95% CI: –490.720, –362.752]; I²?=?70.53%), as was the duration of hospital stay (SMD?=?–1.079 [95% CI: –1.591, –0.208]; I²?=?84.3%).

Conclusion

MI-TLIF has equivalent efficacy to O-TLIF in obese patients at long-term follow-up. In addition, complication rate, blood loss, and length of hospital stay were lower in MI-TLIF than in O-TLIF.

     

Correlation analysis of low-level serum uric acid and cardiovascular events in patients on peritoneal dialysis

Background

The impact of serum uric acid (SUA) on development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains controversial, especially the impact of hypouricemia (HUA) on CVD. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of low-level SUA on cardiovascular (CV) events in PD patients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted.728 PD patients from February 1, 2010 to May 31, 2019 were enrolled. All demographic and laboratory data were collected at baseline and 6 months after PD treatment. The study cohort was divided into four groups according to SUA level (μmol/L) after 6 months of PD: Group1 (<?360), Group2 (360–420), Group3 (420–480), Group4 (≥?480). The clinical characteristics of each group were analyzed. With Group2 as reference, logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between SUA levels and risk of CV events in patients undergoing PD. Use Kaplan–Meier method to generate CV events risk graph.

Results

728 patients were enrolled in this study, including 403 (55.4%) males and 325 (44.6%) females, with an average age of 48.66?±?13.98 years; of which 158 (21.7%) patients developed CV events. Multivariate COX regression showed that after adjusting for multiple clinical factors, Group1 (HR?=?1.92, 95% CI 1.17–3.15, P?=?0.01), Group3 (HR?=?1.89, 95% CI 1.13–3.15, P?=?0.015), and Group4 (HR?=?2.38, 95% CI 1.35–4.19, P?=?0.003) are all independent risk factors for developing CV events. The Kaplan–Meier risk curve of CV events showed that the risk of CV events in the Group1, Group3 and Group4 were significantly higher (Log-Rank?=?12.67; P?=?0.005). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) showed that SUA level is non-linearly associated with the risk of CV events, showing an U-shaped curve (\(\chi_{4}^{2}\)=13.3 P?=?0.01).

Conclusions

Our study suggested that patients with SUA level less than 360 μmol/L also exhibited the higher risk for developing CV events, an U-shaped association between SUA level and risk of CV events in patients undergoing PD. Both SUA levels below 360 μmol/L and above 420 μmol/L were found to be significant risk factors for developing CV events in patients undergoing long-term PD.

     

High on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity and chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis of literature studies

Background. The efficacy of clopidogrel is often attenuated in the setting of renal impairment. High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) is an independent correlate of adverse event. Here we performed a quantitative evaluation of the prevalence and impact of HPR in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from their inception to 1 March 2018 for cohort studies assessing the risk ratio (RR) of prevalence of HPR in CKD versus non-CKD patients and association of cardiovascular outcome with HPR in CKD patients treated with clopidogrel. Outcome measures included major adverse cardiac event, myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis. RRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as estimates of effect size in random-effect models. Results. Ten studies comprising a total of 3028 CKD patients and 11138 non-CKD patients were included in the evaluation. Compared to patients with normal renal function, patients with CKD had a significantly higher risk of HPR (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.23–1.46). In CKD patients, HPR was associated with increased risk of MACE (RR 2.99, 95% CI 1.19 to 7.53; p?p?=?0.0002), and stent thrombosis (RR 2.98, 95% CI 1.42 to 6.26; p?=?0.004). Conclusions. Based on pooled analysis, CKD appeared correlated with HPR and this association had prognostic significance. Further studies with standardised laboratory methods and specifically defined protocols are required to validate the clinical relevance of such response variability to clopidogrel in CKD patients.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery thymectomy versus open thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis: a meta-analysis

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy has become a feasible treatment for myasthenia gravis (MG) in recent years. The objective of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the perioperative characteristics, safety, and completely stable remission rate in patients with MG who received VATS or open thymectomy (OT).

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and CNKI for related articles using combinations of the search terms video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy, transsternal thymectomy, and MG. The inter-study heterogeneity was assessed by χ²-based Q statistics, and the extent of inconsistency was generated by I² statistics.

Results: A total of 12 studies with 1173 patients were included, and there was no difference in the operation time (p?=?0.08) and ICU time (p?=?0.14) between the two groups, but VATS thymectomy was associated with less intra-operation blood loss and hospital time (p?p?=?0.03) and myasthenic crisis (OR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28–0.92; p?=?0.03), but the rates of pneumonia (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.29–1.32; p?=?0.21) and complete remission rate (CSR) (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.38–1.09; p?=?0.10) had no obvious differences between the VATS and OT groups.

Conclusion: Patients with MG undergoing VATS thymectomy achieved better surgical outcomes and fewer complications than those who received OT.     

N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency or diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: To identify benefit of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency or diabetes. Background: NAC administration is a common method for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Nevertheless, its benefit on patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency or diabetes remains uncertain and controversial. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of NAC for the prevention of CIN in patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency or diabetes were searched from the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using fixed-effects model by the Mantel–Haenszel test. Results: Twenty RCTs involving 3466 subjects (1756 assigned to NAC and 1710 assigned to the control) were included in the pre-existing renal dysfunction group. Pooled analysis suggested a significant reduction in CIN among this group (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61–0.93; p?=?0.008). However, the nine trials comparing NAC versus control among patients with diabetes (NAC, 367 subjects; control, 358 subjects) showed no benefit of NAC for prevention of CIN (OR?=?0.87; 95% CI, 0.58–1.30; p?=?0.50). No significant heterogeneity was detected (p?=?0.07; I²?=?34% for the group of pre-existing renal dysfunction; p?=?0.40; I²?=?5% for the group of diabetes). Conclusion: Our results suggest that NAC decreases the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy among patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency. The benefit was not existed in patients with diabetes.     

The effect of midazolam on pain control after knee arthroscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Midazolam has some potential in pain control of patients undergoing knee arthroscopy. However, the results remain controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effect of midazolam on pain control after knee arthroscopy.

Methods

PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases are systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of midazolam on pain management after knee arthroscopy are included. Two investigators have independently searched articles, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.

Results

Six RCTs are included in this meta-analysis. Compared with control intervention after knee arthroscopy, midazolam intervention can significantly reduce the pain scores (standard mean difference (Std. MD)?=???3.70; 95% confidence interval (CI)?=???6.81 to ??0.60; P?=?0.02), the number of patients requiring analgesics (risk ratio (RR)?=?0.66; 95% CI?=?0.49 to 0.88; P?=?0.005), and analgesic consumption (Std. MD?=??1.62; 95% CI?=???3.04 to ??0.19; P?=?0.03), as well as increase the time to first analgesic requirement (Std. MD?=?1.58; 95% CI?=?0.17 to 2.99; P?=?0.03). In addition, midazolam intervention results in no increase in adverse events following knee arthroscopy (RR?=?0.74; 95% CI?=?0.18 to 2.98; P?=?0.67).

Conclusions

Midazolam intervention is revealed to substantially reduce the pain scores, the number of patients requiring analgesics, and analgesic consumption, as well as improve the time to first analgesic requirement after knee arthroscopy.

     

Effects of vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes on anemia,nutrition and dyslipidemia status in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: This was controversial whether vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy was beneficial for the complications associated with hemodialysis. Therefore, we performed this systematic review to evaluate the effects of vitamin E-coated dialyzer. Methods: Related trials were searched from multiple electronic databases. We conducted meta-analysis to assess changes in the predefined outcomes using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Meta-analysis showed vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy could decrease erythropoietin (EPO) resistance index (SMD, ?0.24; 95% CI, ?0.47 to ?0.01; p?=?0.04). However, pooled-analysis showed vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy could not decrease weekly EPO dose (SMD, ?0.11; 95% CI, ?0.32 to 0.09; p?=?0.28) and intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery (MD, ?0.09; 95% CI, ?0.2 to 0.01; p?=?0.09), and vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy did not improve the serum hemoglobin (MD, ?0.03; 95% CI, ?0.18 to 0.13; p?=?0.74), albumin levels (SMD, ?0.64; 95% CI, ?1.62 to 0.34; p?=?0.2), in addition, there was no significant difference in serum cholesterol (SMD, ?0.07; 95% CI, ?0.45 to 0.31; p?=?0.71), triglycerides (MD, ?2.77; 95% CI, ?32.42 to 26.87; p?=?0.85), high density lipoprotein (HDL) (SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, ?0.14 to 0.62; p?=?0.22) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (SMD, 0.00; 95% CI, ?0.38 to 0.37; p?=?0.98) levels. Conclusions: Vitamin E-coated dialyzer may reduce the EPO resistance, but there is no conclusive evidence that vitamin E-coated dialyzer can improve the renal anemia, malnutrition, dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis status in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, high-quality trials with hard clinical endpoints are required to fully elucidate the clinical value of vitamin E-coated dialyzer therapy.     

Fewer centers will increase quality and safety in cardiothoracic transplantation

Objective—It is not clear whether the severity of coronary artery disease as assessed on angiography has an impact on the postoperative outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Design—The angiographic status of 15 coronary arteries/segments of 2233 patients who underwent isolated on‐pump CABG was graded according to the following criteria: 1?=?no stenosis; 2?=?stenosis <50%; 3?=?stenosis of 50–69%; 4?=?stenosis of 70–89%; 5?=?stenosis of 90–99%; 6?=?vessel occlusion; and 7?=?vessel is not visualized.

Results—Thirty‐seven patients (1.7%) died during the in‐hospital stay and 108 (4.8%) developed postoperatively low cardiac output syndrome. Multivariate analysis showed that along with other risk factors the overall coronary angiographic score was predictive of postoperative death (p?=?0.03; OR: 1.027, 95% CI: 1.003–1.052) and of low cardiac output syndrome (p?=?0.04; OR: 1.172, 95% CI: 1.010–1.218). The status of the proximal segment of the left circumflex coronary artery, the diagonal arteries and the left obtuse marginal arteries was most closely associated with adverse postoperative outcome.

Conclusion—The angiographic status of coronary arteries has an impact on the immediate outcome after CABG.