Survival pathways in cardiac conditioning: individual data vs. meta-analyses. What do we learn?

Abstract BACKGROUND A recent investigation using MRI showed 2.5% frequency of meningioma as an incidental finding in the population-based neuroimaging study. Although observation has been a mainstay in asymptomatic meningiomas, it may increase the risk of surgery due to enlargement of the tumors and aging of patients. It is important to characterize tumors that will grow to be symptomatic in order to select appropriate treatments and radiological follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed 26 studies (3 from the same institute) that analyzed natural courses in asymptomatic or untreated meningiomas. Radiological progression of tumor was redefined as tumor growth by 15% of initial volume or more whenever possible. To adjust the difference of follow-up interval in each study, the percentages of growing tumors in each study were compared with each mean follow-up period. Individual data were extracted from seven studies for univariate or multivariate analyses. Weighted meta-analyses were performed using the 25 studies. RESULTS In time-growth rate analysis, nearly 70% of meningiomas showed radiological progression defined by a volume criteria and the rate approached plateau at 5–6 years. Meta-analyses showed that each radiological progression, growth speed (annual volume change (AVC) or relative growth rate (RGR)) and symptomatic progression had different factors related to their progression. Age, calcification and high intensity on T2 weighted image related to radiological progression and growth speed but not to clinical progression. In individual data analyses, tumor size (diameter 2.6cm (AUC 0.773; specificity 0.759, sensitivity 0.800), volume 5.6cm3 (AUC 0.775, specificity 0.717, sensitivity 0.800)) was a possible marker for symptomatic growth.AVC (>= 2.1cm3/year) was the strongest indicator for clinical progression. In the group of >=2.1cm3/year, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that progression free rate was 69.3% at 3 years, and reached to 55.4% at 6 years whereas 100% in slower growth group. CONCLUSION Radiological features may not be very much useful for prediction of clinical progression except for perifocal edema. This may be due to dynamic changes of these radiological markers in a long term. Initial quantitative tumor size and growth speed especially AVC were reliable factors for decision of treatment for asymptomatic meningiomas.

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Chemotherapy added to locoregional treatment for head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma: three meta-analyses of updated individual data

The Lancet ◽

10.1016/s0140-6736(00)90011-4 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 355 (9208) ◽

pp. 949-955 ◽

Cited By ~ 1240

Author(s):

JP Pignon ◽

J Bourhis ◽

C Domenge ◽

L Designé

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Individual Data ◽

Locoregional Treatment ◽

Meta Analyses

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Many Meta-Analyses Lack Original Disclosures

Clinical Endocrinology News ◽

10.1016/s1558-0164(11)70214-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 58

Author(s):

JANE ANDERSON

Keyword(s):

Meta Analyses

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Associations of coronary and peripheral artery disease with presence, expansion, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm – a grin without a cat!

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000606 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 151-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hisato Takagi ◽

Takuya Umemoto

Keyword(s):

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ◽

Aortic Aneurysm ◽

Peripheral Artery Disease ◽

Literature Search ◽

Systematic Literature Search ◽

Peripheral Artery ◽

Epidemiological Evidence ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract. Both coronary and peripheral artery disease are representative atherosclerotic diseases, which are also known to be positively associated with presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm. It is still controversial, however, whether coronary and peripheral artery disease are positively associated with expansion and rupture as well as presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm. In the present article, we overviewed epidemiological evidence, i. e. meta-analyses, regarding the associations of coronary and peripheral artery disease with presence, expansion, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm through a systematic literature search. Our exhaustive search identified seven meta-analyses, which suggest that both coronary and peripheral artery disease are positively associated with presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm, may be negatively associated with expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysm, and might be unassociated with rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

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Bowel ischaemia after endovascular aneurysm repair

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000698 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 273-277

Author(s):

Christopher Lowe ◽

Oussama El Bakbachi ◽

Damian Kelleher ◽

Imran Asghar ◽

Francesco Torella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Case Reports ◽

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Bowel Ischaemia ◽

Prophylactic Measures ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Prisma Statement ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Aneurysm Repair

Abstract. The aim of this review was to investigate presentation, aetiology, management, and outcomes of bowel ischaemia following EVAR. We present a case report and searched electronic bibliographic databases to identify published reports of bowel ischaemia following elective infra-renal EVAR not involving hypogastric artery coverage or iliac branch devices. We conducted our review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement standards. In total, five cohort studies and three case reports were included. These studies detailed some 6,184 infra-renal elective EVARs, without procedure-related occlusion of the hypogastric arteries, performed between 1996 and 2014. Bowel ischaemia in this setting is uncommon with an incidence ranging from 0.5 to 2.8 % and includes a spectrum of severity from mucosal to transmural ischaemia. Due to varying reporting standards, an overall proportion of patients requiring bowel resection could not be ascertained. In the larger series, mortality ranged from 35 to 80 %. Atheroembolization, hypotension, and inferior mesenteric artery occlusion were reported as potential causative factors. Elderly patients and those undergoing prolonged procedures appear at higher risk. Bowel ischaemia is a rare but potentially devastating complication following elective infra-renal EVAR and can occur in the setting of patent mesenteric vessels and hypogastric arteries. Mortality ranges from 35 to 80 %. Further research is required to identify risk factors and establish prophylactic measures in patients that have an increased risk of developing bowel ischaemia after standard infra-renal EVAR.

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Proportion of Individuals With Past-Year Suicidal Ideation Who Attempted Suicide Over the Past 10 Years in the United States, and the Influence of Age and Sex

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000690 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Shannon Lange ◽

Courtney Bagge ◽

Charlotte Probst ◽

Jürgen Rehm

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Random Effects ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

The United States ◽

Individual Level ◽

The Past ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Age Category

Abstract. Background: In recent years, the rate of death by suicide has been increasing disproportionately among females and young adults in the United States. Presumably this trend has been mirrored by the proportion of individuals with suicidal ideation who attempted suicide. Aim: We aimed to investigate whether the proportion of individuals in the United States with suicidal ideation who attempted suicide differed by age and/or sex, and whether this proportion has increased over time. Method: Individual-level data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2008–2017, were used to estimate the year-, age category-, and sex-specific proportion of individuals with past-year suicidal ideation who attempted suicide. We then determined whether this proportion differed by age category, sex, and across years using random-effects meta-regression. Overall, age category- and sex-specific proportions across survey years were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: Although the proportion was found to be significantly higher among females and those aged 18–25 years, it had not significantly increased over the past 10 years. Limitations: Data were self-reported and restricted to past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Conclusion: The increase in the death by suicide rate in the United States over the past 10 years was not mirrored by the proportion of individuals with past-year suicidal ideation who attempted suicide during this period.

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Psychological and Cognitive Aspects of Borderline Intellectual Functioning

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000293 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 159-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bastianina Contena ◽

Stefano Taddei

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Intellectual Functioning ◽

Clinical Impact ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Borderline Intellectual Functioning ◽

General Quality ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Over Time

Abstract. Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) refers to a global IQ ranging from 71 to 84, and it represents a condition of clinical attention for its association with other disorders and its influence on the outcomes of treatments and, in general, quality of life and adaptation. Furthermore, its definition has changed over time causing a relevant clinical impact. For this reason, a systematic review of the literature on this topic can promote an understanding of what has been studied, and can differentiate what is currently attributable to BIF from that which cannot be associated with this kind of intellectual functioning. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we have conducted a review of the literature about BIF. The results suggest that this condition is still associated with mental retardation, and only a few studies have focused specifically on this condition.

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Physical and Psychological Benefits of Written Emotional Expression

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000231 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 242-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Éva Kállay

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Expressive Writing ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Health Problems ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychological Benefits ◽

Cost Effective Treatment ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract. The last several decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from both diagnosable and subsyndromal mental health problems. Consequently, the development of cost-effective treatment methods, accessible to large populations suffering from different forms of mental health problems, became imperative. A very promising intervention is the method of expressive writing (EW), which may be used in both clinically diagnosable cases and subthreshold symptomatology. This method, in which people express their feelings and thoughts related to stressful situations in writing, has been found to improve participants’ long-term psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social functioning. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the published literature (also including most recent meta-analyses), the present paper presents the expressive writing method, its short- and long-term, intra-and interpersonal effects, different situations and conditions in which it has been proven to be effective, the most important mechanisms implied in the process of recovery, advantages, disadvantages, and possible pitfalls of the method, as well as variants of the original technique and future research directions.

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