scholarly journals Clinical Effects of Mercury in Conservative Dentistry: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Romeo Patini ◽  
Gianrico Spagnuolo ◽  
Federica Guglielmi ◽  
Edoardo Staderini ◽  
Michele Simeone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Composite Resins ◽  
Trial Sequential Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Clinical Effects

Background and Purpose. Following the new directives of the European Union, which foresee the amalgam ban, the debate on its hypothetical toxicity has started again. So, the aim of this systematic review is to definitively evaluate the eventual effects of the exposure to Hg in adults and children with and without dental amalgam fillings measuring the Hg concentration in various biological fluids. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted in four electronic databases (Ovid via PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CENTRAL) including all available randomised controlled trials published in the last 15 years comparing the use of dental amalgam with composite resins in humans with a follow-up period of at least one year. The primary outcome was the Hg concentration in biological fluids (urine, hair, blood, and saliva) with the aim of assessing their reliability as biomarkers of Hg exposure. The risk of bias was assessed through the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the overall quality of evidence through the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) system. The results of the meta-analysis were expressed using a random-effects model, and their power was assessed through the trial sequential analysis (TSA). Results. From the initial 2555 results, only 6 publications were included in the review: five were considered as having high risk of bias, whereas one as having moderate risk. Only two articles were eligible for quantitative analysis. The meta-analysis gathered data from 859 patients but was nevertheless not significant (p = 0.12). The TSA confirmed this evidence revealing that it was due to a lack of statistical power since the required information size (RIS) threshold is not reached. Conclusions. The existing evidence revealed that there are not enough data to support the hypothesis that restorations with dental amalgam can cause nephrotoxicity when compared with composite resins restorations.

scholarly journals Traction Therapy for Cervical Radicular Syndrome is Statistically Significant but not Clinically Relevant for Pain Relief. A Systematic Literature Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3389
Author(s):  
Claudio Colombo ◽  
Stefano Salvioli ◽  
Silvia Gianola ◽  
Greta Castellini ◽  
Marco Testa
Keyword(s):  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Trial Sequential Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Radicular Syndrome

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of traction therapy in reducing pain by performing a systematic review with meta-analysis. We also explore the best modality for administering traction to patients with cervical radicular syndrome (CRS). Methods: We searched the Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) electronic databases. Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared traction in addition to other treatments versus the effectiveness of other treatments alone for pain outcome. We calculated the mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used Cochrane’s tool to assess risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate the quality of evidence and summarize the study conclusions. Results: A total of seven studies (589 patients), one with low risk of bias, were evaluated. An overall estimate of treatment modalities showed low evidence that adding traction to other treatments is statistically significant (MD −5.93 [95% CI, −11.81 to −0.04] P = 0.05 and I2 = 57%) compared to other treatments alone. The subgroup analyses were still statistically significant only for mechanical and continuous modalities. Conclusions: Overall analysis showed that, compared to controls, reduction in pain intensity after traction therapy was achieved in patients with cervical radiculopathy. However, the quality of evidence was generally low and none of these effects were clinically meaningful.

scholarly journals Antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis - a protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Kwasi Korang ◽  
Sanam Safi ◽  
Christian Gluud ◽  
Ulrik Lausten-Thomsen ◽  
Janus C. Jakobsen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Circulatory Support ◽  
Trial Sequential Analysis ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Neonates And Infants

Abstract Background Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates and infants. Antibiotics are a central part of the first line treatment for sepsis in neonatal intensive care units worldwide. However, the evidence on the clinical effects of the commonly used antibiotic regimens for sepsis in neonates remains scarce. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and harms of antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis. Methods Electronic searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ZETOC and clinical trial registries (clinicaltrials.gov and ISRCTN). We will include randomised controlled trials of different antibiotic regimens for sepsis of neonates and infants. Eligible interventions will be any antibiotic regimen. Two reviewers will independently screen, select, and extract data. The methodological quality of individual studies will be appraised following Cochrane methodology. Primary outcomes will be ‘all-cause mortality’ and ‘serious adverse events’. Secondary outcomes will be ‘need for respiratory support’, ‘need for circulatory support’, ‘neurodevelopmental impairment’, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity and necrotizing enterocolitis. We plan to perform a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Discussion This is the study protocol for a systematic review on the effects of different antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis. The results of this systematic review intent to adequately inform stakeholders or health care professionals in the field of neonatal sepsis, and to aid appropriate development of treatment guidelines. Systematic review registration PROSPERO reference number: CRD42019134300.

Patient-centered Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Specific Clinical Scenarios: Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lana C Pinto ◽  
Dimitris V Rados ◽  
Luciana R Remonti ◽  
Luciana V Viana ◽  
Georgia T Pulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sequential Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Trial Sequential Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Clinical Scenarios

Abstract Introduction New antihyperglycemic medications have been proven to have cardiovascular (CV) and renal benefits in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, an evidence-based decision tree in specific clinical scenarios is lacking. Materials and Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with trial sequential analysis (TSA). Randomized controlled trial inclusion criteria were patients with T2DM from 1 of these subgroups: elderly, obese, previous atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD), previous coronary heart disease (CHD), previous heart failure (HF), or previous chronic kidney disease (CKD). Randomized controlled trials describing those subgroups with at least 48 weeks of follow-up were included. Outcomes: 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), CV death, hospitalization due to HF, and renal outcomes. We performed direct meta-analysis with the number of events in the intervention and control groups in each subset, and the relative risk of the events was calculated. Results Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) were the only antihyperglycemic agents related to a reduction in CV events in different populations. For obese and elderly populations, GLP-1 RA were associated with benefits in 3-point MACE; for patients with ASCVD, both SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA had benefits in 3-point MACE, while for patients with CHD, only SGLT2i were beneficial. Conclusions SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA reduced CV events in selected populations: SGLT2i led to a reduction in events in patients with previous CHD, ASCVD, and HF. GLP-1 RA led to a reduction in CV events in patients with ASCVD, elderly patients, and patients with obesity. Trial sequential analysis shows that these findings are conclusive. This review opens a pathway towards evidence-based, personalized treatment of T2DM. Registration PROSPERO CRD42019132807

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