scholarly journals Clinical management of idiopathic mastalgia: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shazia P. Hafiz ◽  
Nicola L. P. Barnes ◽  
Cliona C. Kirwan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Breast Pain ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Receptor Modulator

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONIdiopathic mastalgia (benign breast pain of unknown origin) is often poorly managed because of its subjective nature and unclear aetiology. Mastalgia is a reason for up to 50% of breast outpatient referrals. Existing systematic reviews discuss dated treatment options that provide limited symptomatic relief. METHODSA systematic review was conducted for aetiology and treatment of idiopathic mastalgia in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidance. Databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Database and the Clinical Trial Registry were searched (February 2016). RESULTSReassurance plus bra-fitting advice provides relief for most women. If symptoms persist, addition of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provides relief in 70–92% of women. There is some benefit in reducing dietary coffee and fat intake. Medical treatments have serious side-effects (often androgenic or menopausal) and should be considered only in cases resistant to simpler measures. Dopamine agonists are useful, but less effective than endocrine treatments such as Danazol or Tamoxifen. Of the Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulator drugs, Ormeloxifene appears most effective, but is not licenced in the United Kingdom. Relaxation therapy, acupuncture and kinesiology may be useful but currently lack good evidence of effectiveness. DISCUSSIONFirst-line management of breast pain should be explanation, reassurance and a bra-fitting advice. Subsequent drug therapy should be balanced against its side-effects; topical NSAIDs and Ormeloxifene show greatest benefit with least side-effects. Newer agents (Ormeloxifene) currently being used for mastalgia in India could be considered in the developed world.

Guidance for reporting clinical trial registry records and published protocols use in systematic reviews of interventions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Bidonde ◽  
Jose Francisco Meneses-Echavez ◽  
Angela Jean Busch ◽  
Catherine Boden
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Selective Reporting ◽  
Trial Registry ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Starting Point

Abstract Background: Transparency is a tenet of systematic reviews. Searching for clinical trial registry records and published protocols has become a mandatory standard when conducting a systematic review of interventions. However, there is no comprehensive guidance for review authors on how to report the use of registry records and published protocols in their systematic review. The objective of this study was to generate initial guidance to assist authors of systematic reviews of interventions in the reporting of registry records and published protocols in systematic reviews of interventions. Methods: We used a compilation of the procedures recommended by expert organizations (e.g., Cochrane Collaboration) related to the reporting of use of registry records and published protocols in the conduct of systematic reviews. The compilation was developed by one of the authors in this study and served as a starting point in developing the algorithm. We extracted current practice data related to registry records and published protocols from a stratified random sample of Cochrane systematic reviews of interventions published between 2015 and 2016 (n=169). We identified examples that adhered to or extended the current guidance. Based on the on the elements above, we created the algorithm to bridge gaps and improve current reporting practices. Results: Trial protocols should be used to account for all evidence in a subject area, evaluate reporting bias (i.e. selective reporting and publication bias), and determine the nature and number of ongoing or unpublished studies for planning review updates. Review authors’ terminology (e.g., ongoing, terminated) and consequent reporting in the review should reflect the phase of the trial found. Protocols should be clearly and consistently reported throughout the review (e.g. abstract, methods, results) as is done with published articles. Conclusions: Our study expands on available guidance to describe in greater detail the reporting of registry records and published protocols for review authors. We believe this is a timely investigation that will increase transparency in the reporting of trial records in systematic reviews of interventions and bring clarification to current fuzziness in terminology. We invite researchers to provide feedback on our work for its improvement and dissemination. Trial Registration: not applicable

scholarly journals An overview of treatment options for COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1770
Author(s):  
Madhusmita Mohanty Mohapatra ◽  
Manju Rajaram ◽  
Dharm Prakash Dwivedi ◽  
Vishnukant Govindraj ◽  
Pratap Upadhya
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Repurposed Drugs ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Effective Drugs

Severe acute respiratory syndrome- coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which emerged in Wuhan initially as pneumonia of unknown origin in December 2019, later spread to whole world and became pandemic on 11th March, 2020. Many drugs have been proposed but are backed without clinical evidence. Scientific bodies are in the row to discover a reliable vaccine and effective drugs against the novel coronavirus. Many antiviral and anti-parasitic drugs which were thought to have some effect on Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been tried during the crisis but none have shown concrete evidence of action. Randomized clinical trials on the repurposed drugs are now registered under clinical trial registry to look at the safety profile and efficacy of the drugs to be used against SARS-CoV-2. Many meta-analyses are being conducted worldwide to frame evidence for the fight against this novel coronavirus. We are providing below a review of various drugs that have been tried for treatment of COVID-19 as well as different clinical trials which are underway.

scholarly journals Risks and benefits of antioxidant dietary supplement use during cancer treatment: protocol for a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e047200
Author(s):  
L. Susan Wieland ◽  
Ilana Moffet ◽  
Sydney Shade ◽  
Ashkan Emadi ◽  
Cheryl Knott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Antioxidant Supplementation ◽  
Dietary Antioxidant ◽  
Antioxidant Supplements

IntroductionAntioxidant dietary supplements are used by many patients with cancer to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve prognosis. While some research indicates oral antioxidant supplementation reduces side effects and improves patient survival, other studies suggest the use of antioxidant dietary supplements may interfere with chemotherapy and reduce its curative effects. There is a need to clarify the evidence base on the impact of dietary antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy on both side effect and treatment efficacy outcomes. We will use a scoping review approach to identify what systematic review evidence exists regarding beneficial and harmful effects of dietary antioxidant supplements when used during cancer treatment.Methods and analysisWe will use Arksey & O’Malley and Joanna Briggs Institute methods for scoping reviews. We will systematically search PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Dissertations & Theses Global and the Cochrane Library from inception to October 2020. Systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials of oral dietary antioxidant supplements used by participants receiving curative chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other biological therapy for cancer will be eligible. Two reviewers will screen citations and full texts for inclusion and chart data on research questions from included reviews. Two reviewers will assess the overall confidence in systematic review results using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2), and summarised evidence will focus on reviews rated at high or moderate overall confidence. Tables will be used to map existing evidence and identify evidence gaps for safety and effectiveness outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThis scoping review does not require ethical approval as it is a secondary assessment of available literature. The results will be presented at conferences and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. We will also disseminate results to community and clinical stakeholders and involve them in developing subsequent research to address critical existing gaps in the evidence as identified by the scoping review.

scholarly journals PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LEAVES COMPOUND AS ANTI-INFLAMMATION: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-71
Author(s):  
Angela Librianty Thome ◽  
I Ketut Sudiana ◽  
Abu Bakar
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Psidium Guajava ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Guava Leaves ◽  
Anti Inflammation

Psidium guajava leaves are plants that have been widely used to treat health problems, such as inflammation. Guava leaves are one of the parts used in this plant. People use guava leaves because it can be reached and has minimal side effects. The aim of this study was to identify the content available in guava leaves and their bioactivity as anti-inflammatory. The design of this study uses systematic reviews. Article are taken from electronic databases such as Scopus, Pubmed, ProQuest, and Science Direct. Articles are taken from 2013 to 2019 with the keywords “phytochemical” OR “chemical” OR “compounds” AND “psidium guajava leaves” AND “anti-inflammation”. The review results of 3 articles explained that guava leaves contain ingredients that can be useful as anti-inflammatory. Guava leaves provide a great effect or benefit to inflammation.

scholarly journals Comparison of Mifepristone plus Misoprostol with Misoprostol Alone for First Trimester Medical Abortion: A Systematic Review & Meta -Analysis Protocol

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tariku Shimels ◽  
Mebratu Abraha ◽  
Mensur Shafie ◽  
Lemi Belay ◽  
Melsew Getnet
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
English Language ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Medical Abortion ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Trimester Abortion ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Randomized Control

Abstract Background Original clinical trials have demonstrated that the combined mifepristone plus misoprostol has a marked effectiveness on first trimester abortion practices compared to the misoprostol alone regimen. However, there is no clear evidence if this effect holds consistent direction for all main outcomes and, whether subsequent complications or side effects are minimal or not. This review is intended to provide aggregated evidence for this question through comparison of the respective regimens based on findings from previous randomized control trial studies. Methods Randomized control trials which compared mifepristone plus misoprostol with misoprostol alone for first trimester medical abortion and published in English language will be included in the review. Articles attempted to evaluate procedures and mechanisms of first trimester abortion other than mifepristone plus misoprostol combined regimen with misoprostol alone will be excluded. An internet based search of different engines will be undertaken to identify articles on the proposed topic. Using text words contained in the titles and abstracts of relevant articles, a full search of PubMed/Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, WHO international clinical Trial registry platform and google scholar will be made. Data on participants, study methods, interventions, and outcomes will be abstracted. Included studies will be pooled for meta-analysis. Results will be reported in odds or risk ratio at 95% confidence interval. Discussion This systematic review intends to review the available literature on effectiveness of mifepristone plus misoprostol as compared to misoprostol alone for inducing abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. In addition, we anticipate that the review will evaluate and compare the incidence of potential complications and side effects following administration of the respective regimen in both populations. Systematic review registration number CRD42019134213

The Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Performance: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jairus J. Quesnele ◽  
Michelle A. Laframboise ◽  
Jessica J. Wong ◽  
Peter Kim ◽  
Greg D. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
English Language ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Beta Alanine ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose:To critically review the methodological quality and synthesize information from systematic reviews and high quality studies on the effects of beta alanine (BA) on exercise and athletic performance.Methods:A search strategy was developed in accordance with the standards for the reporting of scientific literature via systematic reviews. Five databases were thoroughly searched from inception to November 2012. Inclusion criteria were English language, human studies, used BA to increase exercise or athletic performance, systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials and were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Included studies were systematically graded for their methodological quality by rotating pairs of reviewers and the results were qualitatively synthesized.Results:One systematic review and 19 randomized trials were included in this review. There is one systematic review with several methodological weaknesses that limit the confidence in its results. There are moderate to high quality studies that appear to support that BA may increase power output and working capacity, decrease the feeling of fatigue and exhaustion, and have of positive effect on body composition and carnosine content. The reporting of side effects from BA supplementation in the athletic population was generally under-reported.Conclusions:There appears to be some evidence from this review that supplementation with BA may increase athletic performance. However, there is insufficient evidence examining the safety of BA supplementation and its side effects. It is therefore recommended to err on the side of caution in using BA as an ergogenic aid until there is sufficient evidence confirming its safety.

scholarly journals Therapeutic interventions for COVID-19: a living overview of reviews

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175346662097602
Author(s):  
Malahat Khalili ◽  
Maryam Chegeni ◽  
Sara Javadi ◽  
Mehrdad Farokhnia ◽  
Hamid Sharifi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Overview Of Reviews ◽  
Drug Classes ◽  
Cochrane Database

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, but safe and effective treatment options remain unavailable. Numerous systematic reviews of varying qualities have tried to summarize the evidence on the available therapeutic interventions for COVID-19. This overview of reviews aims to provide a succinct summary of the findings of systematic reviews on different pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions for COVID-19. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and WHO database of publications on COVID-19 from 1 December 2019 through to 11 June 2020 for peer-reviewed systematic review studies that reported on potential pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapies for COVID-19. Quality assessment was completed using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) measure. Results: Out of 816 non-duplicate studies, 45 were included in the overview. Antiviral and antibiotic agents, corticosteroids, and anti-malarial agents were the most common drug classes used to treat COVID-19; however, there was no direct or strong evidence to support their efficacy. Oxygen therapy and ventilatory support was the most common non-pharmacological supportive care. The quality of most of the included reviews was rated as low or critically low. Conclusion: This overview of reviews demonstrates that although some therapeutic interventions may be beneficial to specific subgroups of COVID-19 patients, the available data are insufficient to strongly recommend any particular treatment option to be used at a population level. Future systematic reviews on COVID-19 treatments should adhere to the recommended systematic review methodologies and ensure that promptness and comprehensiveness are balanced. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

scholarly journals Systematic Review on Healthcare and Societal Costs of Tinnitus

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6881
Author(s):  
Ilias Trochidis ◽  
Alessandra Lugo ◽  
Elisa Borroni ◽  
Christopher R. Cederroth ◽  
Rilana Cima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Comprehensive Health

Tinnitus disability is a heterogeneous and complex condition, affecting more than 10% and compromising the quality of life of 2% of the population, with multiple contributors, often unknown, and enigmatic pathophysiology. The available treatment options are unsatisfactory, as they can, at best, reduce tinnitus severity, but not eliminate its perception. Given the spread of tinnitus and the lack of a standardized treatment, it is crucial to understand the economic burden of this condition. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and Google Scholar, in order to identify all the articles published on the economic burden of tinnitus before 1 April 2021 (PROSPERO—International prospective register of systematic reviews—No: CRD42020180438). Out of 273 articles identified through our search strategy, only five articles from studies conducted in the United States of America (USA), the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK) provided data on tinnitus’s economic costs. Three studies provided mean annual estimates per patient ranging between EUR 1544 and EUR 3429 for healthcare costs, between EUR 69 and EUR 115 for patient and family costs and between EUR 2565 and EUR 3702 for indirect costs, including productivity loss. The other two studies reported an annual mean cost of EUR 564 per patient for tinnitus-related clinical visits, and total costs of EUR 1388 and EUR 3725 for patients treated with a sound generator and Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment, respectively. Our comprehensive review shows a gap in the knowledge about the economic burden of tinnitus on healthcare systems, patients and society. The few available studies show considerable expenses due to healthcare and indirect costs, while out-of-pocket costs appear to be less financially burdensome. Comprehensive health economic evaluations are needed to fill the gaps in current knowledge, using a unified method with reliable and standardized tools.

How is Schizophrenia Treated?

Schizophrenia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Glatt ◽  
Stephen V. Faraone ◽  
Ming T. Tsuang
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Good Number

In earlier chapters, we described the many advances in our understanding of schizophrenia. Unfortunately, we still do not have a detailed blueprint of what exactly goes wrong in the brain in schizophrenia, or a means for ‘fixing’ the brain. But even without a clear grasp of all the underlying, hidden facts, we have still made many gains. While we search for more clues, we need to use the facts on hand to help individuals with schizophrenia and their families to relieve their suffering. As the saying goes, ‘The perfect is the enemy of the good’, and some good treatment options exist. So while we work toward a perfect under­standing of schizophrenia and develop treatments that are targeted toward each individual’s personal form of the disorder, we must rely on the evidence for existing treatments to separate the ‘good’ from the ‘bad’. Bad treatments are those that are ineffective, counterproductive, or have a high risk of very serious side effects. Good treatments are those that have good evidence of helping a fair number of patients to reduce at least the positive symptoms of the disorder while having a relatively low risk of serious side effects. No current treatment for the disorder will work for all affected individuals, and we do not yet have a way of being able to tell before treatment what chance the affected individual has of improving with a given treatment. These are all goals for future research, including the discovery of brand new medicines. For now, we review the cur­rently available treatments with the best evidence of being able to help a good number of patients. The onset of schizophrenia can be frightening, for both affected individuals and their families. Affected individuals begin to express many odd beliefs: that people are trying to harm them— friends, relatives, strangers, or celebrities; that others can hear their thoughts as if spoken aloud; that voices talk to them, even when they are alone. In addition, they cannot express feelings and thoughts clearly and are frustrated by the doubts expressed by relatives and friends.

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