Incidence and prognostic factors of knee extension deficits following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

ABSTRACTBackground and aimsKnee extension deficits complicate recovery from ACL injury and reconstruction, however the incidence of knee extension loss is not well defined. The aim of this review was to identify the incidence of loss of extension (LOE) following ACL rupture and reconstruction, explore the definitions of knee extension deficits reported and identify prognostic factors affecting LOE incidence.Methods and analysisA systematic search was conducted in Medline, Cochrane Library and PEDro for studies in publication up to September 2019, with no restrictions on publication year. References were screened and assessed for inclusion using predetermined eligibility criteria. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that quantified knee angle, loss of extension or incidence of extension deficit were included for quality assessment and data extraction. Statistical summaries were generated and meta-analyses performed in two parts to examine: (i) the probability of a datapoint being zero incidence compared to a non-zero incidence, and (ii) the relationship between the predictors and non-zero LOE incidence.ResultsA sample of 8594 papers were retrieved using the search criteria, with 48 studies meeting eligibility criteria. Pooled results from 4065 participants were included for analysis, with 3965 participants who had undergone ACLR. The proportion of included studies judged at an overall low risk of bias was small (6%). The analysis revealed median LOE incidence of 15.9% (IQR 1.4 - 46.5) at a median follow up from treatment of 4.9 months (IQR 1.9 - 24). Median LOE incidence was 23 % (IQR 8.4 - 50.0) for the subset of studies reporting up to 12 months of follow up. The observed group and study were the most important predictors for whether a datapoint reported an incidence of extension deficit. Time to follow up (P < 0.001) and graft type (P = 0.02) were found to have a significant influence on non-zero LOE incidence (%).ConclusionsThis review examined the definitions for the measurement and interpretation of postoperative knee extension, and established the trajectory of knee extension deficit after ACL injury and reconstruction. While factors associated with loss of extension were identified, the trajectory of knee extension deficits were difficult to infer due to discrepancies in measurement techniques and patient variation. Clinicians should expect up to 1 in 3 patients to present postoperatively with loss of extension of at least 3 degrees, which may partially resolve over time. Future work should focus on the development of a standardised framework for postoperative measurement and reporting of LOE.

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Measuring coagulation in burns: an evidence-based systematic review

Scars Burns & Healing ◽

10.1177/2059513117728201 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 205951311772820 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Nicholas J. Marsden ◽

Martin Van ◽

Samera Dean ◽

Ernest A. Azzopardi ◽

Sarah Hemington-Gorse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Coagulation ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Blood Product ◽

Dynamic Monitoring ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Blood Coagulation Disorders ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Burn Patients ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Randomised Controlled

Introduction: Dynamic monitoring of coagulation is important to predict both haemorrhagic and thrombotic complications and to guide blood product administration. Reducing blood loss and tailoring blood product administration may improve patient outcome and reduce mortality associated with transfusion. The current literature lacks a systematic, critical appraisal of current best evidence on which clinical decisions may be based. Objectives: Establishing the role of different coagulation markers in burn patients, diagnosing coagulopathy, tailoring blood product administration and indicating prognosis. Methods: Literature during 2004–2017 from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Medline and Embase was reviewed. Eligibility criteria included randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, multi-/single-centre study and meta-analyses. Keywords searched were ‘burns’, ‘blood coagulation disorders’, ‘rotem’, ‘blood coagulation’ and ‘thromboelastography’. The PRISMA flow system was used for stratification and the CASP framework for appraisal of the studies retrieved. Results: In total, 13 articles were included after inclusion/exclusion criteria had been applied to the initial 79 studies retrieved. Hypercoagulation increases in proportion to the severity of thermal injury. Whole blood testing, using thrombelastography (TEG) and rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM), was superior to standard plasma based tests, including prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) at detecting burn-related coagulopathies. Conclusions: Routine laboratory markers such as PT/APTT are poor indicators of coagulation status in burns patients. Viscoelastic tests, such as TEG and ROTEM, are efficient, fast and have a potential use in the management of burn patients; however, strong evidence is lacking. This review highlights the need for more randomised controlled trials, to guide future practice.

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Efficacy of electronic cigarettes for tobacco smoking cessation: An adapted systematic review

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1167 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

T O'Dowd

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Cohort Studies ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Significant Heterogeneity ◽

Smoking Reduction ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Worldwide smoking remains the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are increasingly used by tobacco smokers as an aid to smoking cessation; however, their efficacy remains uncertain. Methods Electronic databases, clinical trial registries and grey literature sources were searched. The aim was to examine randomised controlled trials or prospective cohort studies, published since the 2016 Cochrane review on this topic, that assessed the efficacy of ECs in achieving smoking cessation among current smokers. Results Two RCTs and five cohort studies, including a total of 16,460 participants, were eligible for inclusion. One RCT found sustained 1-year abstinence of 18.0% in the EC group versus 9.9% in the nicotine replacement therapy group (RR: 1.83; 95% CI 1.30 to 2.58; P < 0.001). The second RCT did not find a statistically significant difference in abstinence rates between EC users and non-users (RR 0.71). Of the five included cohort studies, four reported statistically significant RRs. Two found a positive association (RRs of 1.45 and 1.84) between EC use and smoking cessation but two studies showed EC use was associated with reduced smoking cessation (RRs of 0.25 and 0.35). Due to significant heterogeneity between the studies the data were deemed unsuitable for pooling into a meta-analysis. All trials assessing smoking reduction reported higher rates of reduction among EC users. No serious adverse events were reported with EC use. Follow-up periods of included trials ranged from one to four years, with an average of 1.6 years. Conclusions There is limited, low-quality evidence that ECs are an effective intervention for smoking cessation and smoking reduction. The overall quality of evidence is low as it is based on a small number of studies with inconsistent and imprecise results. Due to the short follow-up periods of the included trials, the long-term safety of ECs is unclear from this review. Key messages Limited evidence that electronic cigarettes are an effective smoking cessation intervention. Further well-designed randomised controlled trials are required to investigate the efficacy of ECs for smoking cessation.

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Potential impact on estimated treatment effects of information lost to follow-up in randomised controlled trials (LOST-IT): systematic review

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.e2809 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 344 (may18 1) ◽

pp. e2809-e2809 ◽

Cited By ~ 149

Author(s):

E. A. Akl ◽

M. Briel ◽

J. J. You ◽

X. Sun ◽

B. C. Johnston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Treatment Effects ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Lost To Follow Up

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Efficacy and safety of omalizumab in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047344 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. e047344

Author(s):

Qingwu Wu ◽

Lianxiong Yuan ◽

Huijun Qiu ◽

Xinyue Wang ◽

Xuekun Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Nasal Polyps ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Randomised Controlled

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of omalizumab for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and to identify evidence gaps that will guide future research on omalizumab for CRSwNP.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesA comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library on 13 October 2020.Eligibility criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing omalizumab with placebo, given for at least 16 weeks in adult patients with CRSwNP.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent authors screened search results, extracted data and assessed studies using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data were pooled using the inverse-variance method and expressed as mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed by the χ2 test and the I2 statistic.ResultsA total of four RCTs involving 303 participants were identified. When comparing omalizumab to placebo, there was a significant difference in Nasal Polyps Score (MD=−1.20; 95% CI −1.48 to −0.92), Nasal Congestion Score (MD=−0.67; 95% CI −0.86 to −0.48), Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (MD=−15.62; 95% CI −19.79 to −11.45), Total Nasal Symptom Score (MD=−1.84; 95% CI −2.43 to −1.25) and reduced need for surgery (risk ratio (RR)=5.61; 95% CI 1.99 to 15.81). Furthermore, there was no difference in the risk of serious adverse events ((RR=1.40; 95% CI 0.29 to 6.80), adverse events (RR=0.83; 95% CI 0.60 to 1.15) and rescue systemic corticosteroid (RR=0.52; 95% CI 0.17 to 1.61).ConclusionsThis was the first meta-analysis that identified omalizumab significantly improved endoscopic, clinical and patient-reported outcomes in adults with moderate to severe CRSwNP and it was safe and well tolerated.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020207639.

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The impact of a run-in period on treatment effects in cardiovascular prevention randomised control trials: A protocol for a comprehensive review and meta-analysis

HRB Open Research ◽

10.12688/hrbopenres.13122.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 82

Author(s):

Robert Murphy ◽

Emer McGrath ◽

Aoife Nolan ◽

Andrew Smyth ◽

Michelle Canavan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Treatment Effects ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cardiovascular Prevention ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Loss To Follow Up ◽

Relative Risks ◽

Prevention Trials ◽

Randomised Controlled

Background: A run-in period is often employed in randomised controlled trials to increase adherence to the intervention and reduce participant loss to follow-up in the trial population. However, it is uncertain whether use of a run-in period affects the magnitude of treatment effect. Methods: We will conduct a sensitive search for systematic reviews of cardiovascular preventative trials and a complete meta-analysis of treatment effects comparing cardiovascular prevention trials using a run-in period (“run-in trials”) with matched cardiovascular prevention trials that did not use a run-in period (“non-run-in trials”). We describe a comprehensive matching process which will match run-in trials with non-run-in trials by patient populations, interventions, and outcomes. For each pair of run-in trial and matched non-run-in trial(s), we will estimate the ratio of relative risks and 95% confidence interval. We will evaluate differences in treatment effect between run-in and non-run-in trials and our and our priamry outcome will be the ratio of relative risks for matched run-in and non-run-in trials for their reported cardiovascular composite outcome. Our secondary outcomes are comparisons of mortality, loss to follow up, frequency of adverse events and methodological quality of trials. Conclusions: This study will answer a key question about what influence a run-in period has on the magnitude of treatment effects in randomised controlled trials for cardiovascular prevention therapies.

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Impact of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies on circulating hs-CRP levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022348 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. e022348 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Ye-Xuan Cao ◽

Sha Li ◽

Hui-Hui Liu ◽

Jian-Jun Li

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Treatment Duration ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Familial Hypercholesterolaemia ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Participant Characteristics ◽

Hs Crp ◽

Randomised Controlled

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibody (PCSK9-mAb) on high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations.DesignA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Data sourcesPubMed, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library databases, ClinicalTrials.gov and recent conferences were searched from inception to May 2018.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesAll randomised controlled trials that reported changes of hs-CRP were included.ResultsTen studies involving 4198 participants were identified. PCSK9-mAbs showed a slight efficacy in reducing hs-CRP (−0.04 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.17 to 0.01) which was not statistically different. The results did not altered when subgroup analyses were performed including PCSK9-mAb types (alirocumab: 0.12 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.18 to 0.43; evolocumab: 0.00 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.07 to 0.07; LY3015014: −0.48 mg/L, 95% CI: −1.28 to 0.32; RG7652: 0.35 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.26 to 0.96), treatment duration (≤12w: 0.00 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.07 to 0.07; >12w: −0.11 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.45 to −0.23), participant characteristics (familial hypercholesterolaemia: 0.00 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.07 to 0.07; non-familial hypercholesterolaemia: 0.07 mg/L, 95% CI: −0.12 to 0.26; mix: −0.48 mg/L, 95% CI: −1.28 to 0.32) and treatment methods (monotherapy: 0.00 mg/L, −0.08 to 0.07; combination therapy: −0.08 mg/L, −0.37 to 0.21). Meta-regression analyses suggested no significant linear correlation between baseline age (p=0.673), sex (p=0.645) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction (p=0.339).ConclusionsOur updated meta-analysis suggested that PCSK9-mAbs had no significant impact on circulating hs-CRP levels irrespective of PCSK9-mAb types, participant characteristics and treatment duration or methods.

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Effect of action observation therapy on motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials with meta-analysis

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215520954345 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 026921552095434

Author(s):

Naglaa Abdelhaleem ◽

Samar Taher ◽

Menna Mahmoud ◽

Ahmad Hendawy ◽

Maged Hamed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Action Observation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽

Randomised Controlled

Objective: To evaluate the evidence of using Action Observation Therapy in the rehabilitation of children with Cerebral Palsy. Study design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Methods: For the purpose of identifying relevant studies, six databases were searched from inception until July 2020. The methodological quality was assessed by Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The outcomes were classified within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning. A pooled meta-analysis was performed on studies that demonstrated homogeneity. Results: Twelve randomised controlled trials with 307 participants were included with six of them were included in the meta-analysis. Non-significant difference between the groups was demonstrated by meta-analysis. Results of capacity assessed in post treatment and follow up evaluation were (0.06, –0.22 to 0.34, 95% (CI); P = 0.69 and (–0.35, –0.96 to 0.27, 95% (CI); P = 0.27); respectively. Actual performance in post-treatment and follow up were (0.10, –0.22 to 0.48, 95% (CI); P = 0.62) and (0.01, –0.40 to 0.41, 95% (CI); P = 0.97); respectively. Perceived performance evaluated using (ABILHAND-KIDS) were (0.30, –0.28 to 0.89, 95% (CI); P = 0.31) and (0.15, –0.43 to 0.73, 95% (CI); P = 0.61) for post treatment and follow up; respectively. Overall effect on activity domain was (0.08, –0.11 to 0.28, 95% (CI); P = 0.86) immediately and (0.04, –0.33 to 0.26, 95% (CI); P = 0.49) at follow-up; respectively. Conclusion: No evidence of benefit had been found to draw a firm conclusion regarding the effectiveness of action observation therapy in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy due to limitations in methodological quality and variations between studies.

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Adjunct treatment in snakebite envenoming: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.1093/trstmh/traa062 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 114 (11) ◽

pp. 847-857

Author(s):

Chaturaka Rodrigo ◽

Ariaranee Gnanathasan

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Fresh Frozen Plasma ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Adjunct Therapy ◽

Adjunct Treatment ◽

Fresh Frozen ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Frozen Plasma

Abstract Adjunct therapy in snakebite may be lifesaving if administered appropriately or can be harmful if non-judicious use leads to avoidable delays in administering antivenom. This systematic review analyses the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of adjunct treatment administered with antivenom. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane library and CINAHL were searched for RCTs enrolling patients with snakebite envenoming where a treatment other than antivenom has been assessed for its efficacy within the last 25 y. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The interventions assessed were categorised as adjunct therapies (heparin or fresh frozen plasma) to reverse haemotoxicity (three studies), antibiotics to prevent local infections (three studies), steroids to reduce local swelling (one study), premedication (adrenaline, steroids and antihistamines, either alone or in combination) to reduce hypersensitivity reactions to antivenom (five studies) and other interventions (three studies). Apart from a beneficial effect of low-dose adrenaline (1:1000, 0.25 ml administered subcutaneously) in preventing antivenom-induced hypersensitivities (OR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.93, two RCTs, 354 participants, moderate certainty evidence) in Sri Lanka, evidence for any other adjunct therapy is either non-existent or needs confirmation by larger better designed trials.

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Therapeutic effect of resveratrol supplementation on oxidative stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-136415 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 96 (1134) ◽

pp. 197-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mehdi Koushki ◽

Mostafa Lakzaei ◽

Hadi Khodabandehloo ◽

Hossein Hosseini ◽

Reza Meshkani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Oxidative Markers ◽

Markers Of Oxidative Stress ◽

Randomised Controlled

BackgroundResveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol compound mainly found in grapes and red wine. The evidence has suggested that resveratrol has an antioxidant effect. However, the results are inconsistent and inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of resveratrol supplementation on markers of oxidative stress.MethodsWe searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus and the Cochrane library up to December 2018 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing resveratrol supplementation effects on oxidative markers. Heterogeneity, publication bias, risk of bias and subgroup analysis were analysed. This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred ReportingItems for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA).ResultsMeta-analysis of data from 12 RCTs did not support significant effect of resveratrol supplementation on circulating levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (standardized mean difference (SMD) (1.12), (95% CI −0.91 to 3.1), p=0.28), catalase (CAT) (SMD (−0.07), (95% CI −1.4 to 1.3), p=0.92) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (SMD (−0.76), (95% CI −2.56 to 1.04), p=0.40). Although, resveratrol supplementation increased significantly circulating total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (SMD (0.52), (95% CI −0.02 to 1.07), p=0.05). Severe heterogeneity was observed between studies, and no obvious publication bias was observed in included RCTs.ConclusionCollectively, our findings of available RCTs did no show any benefit of resveratrol supplementation on SOD, CAT and GPx except for TAC. Well-designed RCTs are necessary to confirm these results.

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Total extraperitoneal endoscopic hernioplasty (TEP) versus Lichtenstein hernioplasty: a systematic review by updated traditional and cumulative meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials

Hernia ◽

10.1007/s10029-019-02049-w ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 1093-1103 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

P. Gavriilidis ◽

R. J. Davies ◽

J. Wheeler ◽

N. de’Angelis ◽

S. Di Saverio

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Vascular Injuries ◽

Lichtenstein Hernioplasty ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Haematoma Formation ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background–purpose Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic hernioplasty and Lichtenstein hernioplasty are the most commonly used approaches for inguinal hernia repair. However, current evidence on which is the preferred approach is inconclusive. This updated meta-analysis was conducted to track the accumulation of evidence over time. Methods Studies were identified by a systematic literature search of the EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Fixed- and random-effects models were used to cumulatively assess the accumulation of evidence over time. Results The TEP cohort showed significantly higher rates of recurrences and vascular injuries compared to the Lichtenstein cohort; [Peto Odds ratio (OR) = 1.58 (1.22, 2.04), p = 0.005], [Peto OR = 2.49 (1.05, 5.88), p = 0.04], respectively. In contrast, haematoma formation rate, time to return to usual activities, and local paraesthesia were significantly lower in the TEP cohort compared to the Lichtenstein cohort; [Peto OR = 0.26 (0.16, 0.41), p ≤ 0.001], [mean difference = − 6.32 (− 8.17, − 4.48), p ≤ 0.001], [Peto OR = 0.26 (0.17, 0.40), p ≤ 0.001], respectively. Conclusions This study, which is based on randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) of high quality, showed significantly higher rates of recurrences and vascular injuries in the TEP cohort than in the Lichtenstein cohort. In contrast, rate of postoperative haematoma formation, local paraesthesia, and time to return to usual activities were significantly lower in the TEP cohort than in the Lichtenstein cohort. Future multicentre RCTs with strict adherence to the standards recommended in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines will shed further light on the topic.

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