Network meta-analysis of nine large cardiovascular outcome trials of new antidiabetic drugs

The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to indirectly compare the cardiovascular (CV) safety of new antidiabetic medications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Data synthesisA search of the Embase and MEDLINE databases was conducted systematically to identify cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of new antidiabetic medications (DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors) in patients with T2DM. The primary outcomes were the composite endpoint of CV death, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal stroke (MACE), death from CV causes, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke and death from any cause. Hospitalization for HF and unstable angina were evaluated as secondary endpoints. A total of 9 trials, including 87,162 patients, met the eligibility criteria and were retained for the analysis.The NMA results showed no significant differences among the DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin, alogliptin, and saxagliptin) in any of the CV endpoints. Similarly, no significant changes were seen in the NMA among the GLP-1 receptor agonists nor the SGLT-2 inhibitors. The pairwise meta-analysis showed that DPP-4 inhibitors have a CV safety profiled comparable to placebo. GLP-1 agonists on the other hand, showed significant reduction in MACE (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87–0.97), death from CV causes (RR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.80–0.97), and death from any cause (RR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.82–0.96). SGLT-2 inhibitors showed significant reduction in hospitalization for heart failure events (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.6–0.86) compared to placebo.ConclusionThis meta-analysis has shown that new antidiabetic medications do not impose any additional CV risk. The indirect comparison among the medications of each class resulted in no significant changes regarding CV endpoints and death from any cause.     

Accuracy of diagnostic coding of hospital admissions for cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis.

To determine the accuracy of diagnostic coding of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, the case notes of 166 admissions to four hospitals were reviewed. These consisted of all admissions that had been coded as "idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis" (ICD code 516.3: 97 admissions) or as "postinflammatory pulmonary fibrosis" (ICD code 515.9: 69 admissions). Of 88 available records of admissions coded as idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis, 70 (80%) patients had definite cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, and six (7%) possible cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis according to predetermined conventional clinical criteria. Only seven (8%) admissions were clearly coded wrongly. Sixty four records were available for patients coded as having postinflammatory pulmonary fibrosis; 16 (25%) of these patients had definite cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, a further 12 (19%) had possible cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis or fibrosing alveolitis with a connective tissue disorder, and the remainder had a very wide range of diagnoses. In this study the idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis (ICD 516.3) code was relatively reliable, but a substantial proportion of admissions coded under postinflammatory pulmonary fibrosis (ICD 515.9) also had cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and code 515.9 was of little diagnostic value. The data are inadequate for case finding, though in respect of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis may be adequate for planning purposes. There continues to be a need for more medical input into the process of diagnostic coding.     

Mucosa associated lymphoma of the lung.

Two cases of mucosa associated lymphoma (pseudolymphoma) of the lung are described which highlight the varied clinical and radiological features of this rare pulmonary condition. Following chemotherapy with prednisolone and chlorambucil, both patients are disease free three years later.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in a resource-limited setting: the first 49 laparoscopic cholecystectomies in Yemen.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard for gallstone disease. Many studies have confirmed the safety and feasibility of LC and have shown that it is comparable regarding complications to open cholecystectomy (OC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of LC including safety, feasibility in a resource-poor setting like Yemen, and also to compare the outcomes of LC with those of OC. METHODS: This was a prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study of 112 patients who were admitted to Alburaihy Hospital with a diagnosis of gallstone disease and underwent cholecystectomy from July 1998 to March 2004. Hospital stay, duration of operation, postoperative analgesia, and morbidity due to wound infection, bile leak, common bile duct (CBD) injury, missed CBD stone, bleeding, subphrenic abscess, and hernia were evaluated. Patients were followed up on an outpatient basis. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients underwent LC and 63 patients underwent OC. The mean age of LC patients was 43.96 years and of OC patients was 44.63 years. The 2 groups were similar in terms of age (p=0.740) and sex (p=0.535). No significant difference was found in the incidence of acute cholecystitis between the 2 groups (p=0.000). The mean operative duration for LC was 39.88 minutes versus 56.76 minutes for OC (p=0.000), and the mean hospital stay was 1.63 and 5.38 days for LC and OC, respectively (p=0.000). A drain was used frequently in OC (p=0.000). LC patients needed less analgesia (p=0.000). The morbidity rate in LC was 12.2% versus 6.3% for OC, which was not statistically significant (p=0.394), (p>0.05). Wound infection and bile leak were more common with LC. No mortalities were reported in either group. CONCLUSION: An experienced surgeon can perform LC safely and successfully in a resource-limited setting. As in other studies, LC outcomes were better than OC outcomes.     

Cross Calibration of the GE Prodigy and iDXA for the Measurement of Total and Regional Body Composition in Adults

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition measurements are widely performed in both clinical and research settings, and enable the rapid and noninvasive estimation of total and regional fat and lean mass tissues. DXA upgrading can occur during longitudinal monitoring or study; therefore, cross calibration of old and new absorptiometers is required. We compared soft tissue estimations from the GE Prodigy (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI) with the more recent iDXA (GE Healthcare) and developed translational equations to enable Prodigy values to be converted to iDXA values. Eighty-three males and females aged 20.1–63.3?yr and with a body mass index range of 17.0–34.4?kg/m² were recruited for the study. Fifty-nine participants (41 females and 18 males) comprised the cross-calibration group and 24 (14 females and 10 males) comprised the validation group. Total body Prodigy and iDXA scans were performed on each subject within 24?h. Predictive equations for total and regional soft tissue parameters were derived from linear regression of the data. Measures of lean and fat tissues were highly correlated (R²?=?0.95–0.99), but significant differences and variability between machines were identified. Bland-Altman analysis revealed significant biases for most measures, particularly for arm, android, and gynoid fat mass (12.3%–22.7%). The derived translational equations reduced biases and differences for most parameters, although limits of agreement exceeded iDXA least significant change. In conclusion, variability in soft tissue estimates between the Prodigy and iDXA were detected, supporting the need for translational equations in longitudinal monitoring. The derived equations are suitable for group analysis but not individual analysis.     

Future ophthalmology practice pattern: A survey of Saudi Board of Ophthalmology residents

Purpose

The main purpose of the study was to examine and identify factors that influence the future practice pattern of Saudi Board of Ophthalmology residents as well as their academic goals. This study also aimed to compare the plans and career goals of the current Saudi ophthalmology residents with a former cohort of Saudi ophthalmology residents.

Expandable metal stents for tracheal obstruction: permanent or temporary? A cautionary tale.

An expandable metal stent inserted via a long term tracheostomy successfully relieved life threatening respiratory obstruction due to benign tracheal stenosis. Later the patient's tracheostomy suction catheter became stuck on the stent and dislodged it. The stent was removed electively, without damaging the trachea, with a rigid biopsy forceps.