The efficacy and safety of intravaginal oxytocin on vaginal atrophy: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 205336912094664
Author(s):  
Zahra Ghorbani ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Vaginal Atrophy ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Statistical Heterogeneity ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a major issue in menopausal health. Because unlike vasomotor symptoms, it has a progressive trend. In this regard we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of intravaginal oxytocin on postmenopausal vaginal atrophy. A search was performed for published studies in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar and Persian databases without time and language limitations. Only randomized controlled trials that compared intravaginal oxytocin with placebos were included. The outcome measures were objective and subjective assessed symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2. The standardized mean differences were pooled the fixed effects model. Of the five included studies, four studies meta-analysed. The meta-analysis in terms of the cytological analysis (standardized mean difference: 35.13, 95% confidence interval: 32.59–37.67, n = 218, I2 = 96%) was statistically significant. In terms of histological assessments (standardized mean difference: −0.38, 95% confidence interval: −0.94 to 0.17, n = 38, I2 = 0%) and endometrial thickness (standardized mean difference: 0.05, 95% confidence interval: −0.20 to −0.31, n = 95, I2 = 0%), there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Three studies reported a statistically significant improvement in the subjective symptoms; however, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis. Four of the included studies assessed side effects, but only two studies reported them. Oxytocin as a nonestrogenic compound can be a suitable alternative for the treatment of vaginal atrophy, especially in women with contraindications for using estrogenic compounds. Further good quality clinical trials with long-term follow-ups are recommended to demonstrate the effects of intravaginal gel in the treatment of vaginal atrophy.

Effects of telehealth interventions for adolescent sexual health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110477
Author(s):  
Ita Daryanti Saragih ◽  
Santo Imanuel Tonapa ◽  
Carolyn M. Porta ◽  
Bih-O Lee
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Adolescent Sexual Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference

Introduction Telehealth interventions to advance adolescent sexual health have evolved and are being used to promote adolescent sexual health knowledge and healthy sexual behaviors. However, as this area of intervention modality expands, there is a need to pause and examine the effects of telehealth interventions on adolescent sexual health outcomes. Addressing this knowledge gap will inform researchers and practitioners on the current state of evidence of telehealth interventions and inform further intervention development and testing. This study aimed to explore the meta-effects of telehealth interventions on self-efficacy of using condoms, condom use practices, and sexually transmitted infection testing behaviors among adolescents. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were conducted. Seven databases (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, OVID (UpToDate), and Web of Science) were searched for relevant full-text articles from the inception to May 2021. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to calculate the pooled effects of telehealth interventions for adolescents. Stata 16.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 15 studies ( N = 5499) that used telehealth interventions with adolescents were included in the analysis. Telehealth interventions were found to increase self-efficacy for condom use (standardized mean difference: 0.22; 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.36), practice for condom use (standardized mean difference: 0.35; 95% confidence interval: 0.23–0.47), and being screened/tested for sexual transmitted infections (standardized mean difference: 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.31–0.92). Discussion Telehealth interventions show promise as effective intervention delivery solutions for improving self-efficacy and certain sexual health behaviors among adolescents. These telehealth strategies could be important alternatives to in-person visits to accessing sexual health information or services near where they live. Future research should consider testing telehealth strategies where there is evidence of impact to move the field forward.

scholarly journals Influence of reminder therapy for controlling bacterial plaque in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Felipe Pereira Lima ◽  
Walbert de Andrade Vieira ◽  
Ítalo de Macedo Bernardino ◽  
Pedro Augusto Costa ◽  
Anderson Paulo Barbosa Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Plaque Index ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Gingival Index ◽  
White Spots ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the scientific evidence regarding the influence of reminder therapy on plaque index, gingival index, and white spots in patients subjected to orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Randomized clinical trials were searched in the electronic databases LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, LIVIVO, and Cochrane Library. The databases OpenThesis and OpenGrey were used to capture the “gray literature,” preventing selection and publication biases. The risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials tool. The software Review Manager was used for the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity among studies was assessed through the I2 statistic. A summary of the overall strength of evidence available was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool. Results: A total of 332 records were found, from which only 7 articles met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to analysis. Reminder therapy showed improved scores for the plaque index (standardized mean difference = −1.22; 95% confidence interval = −2.03 to −0.42; P = .003) and the gingival index (standardized mean difference = 1.49; 95% confidence interval = −2.61 to 0.37; P = .009). Moreover, there was lower occurrence of white spots (relative risk = 0.53; 95% confidence interval = 0.38 to 0.74; P < .001) when reminder therapy was implemented. Conclusions: According to the existing high-quality evidence, reminder therapy is a valuable strategy and may contribute to the reduction of plaque and gingival indices as well as to the lower occurrence of white spots in patients subjected to orthodontic treatment.

scholarly journals Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Bin Liu ◽  
Yingrui Li ◽  
Jianlin Du ◽  
Qiang She ◽  
Songbai Deng
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Epicardial Adipose Tissue ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a potential risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We performed a meta-analysis to assess the association of EAT with OSA.Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang databases were searched by two independent investigators for all observational studies assessing the association of EAT with OSA. Then we assessed the association of EAT thickness (EAT-t) and EAT volume (EAT-v) with OSA by a meta-analysis.Results: Ten studies were included in the final analysis. Compared with that in controls, EAT-t in OSA patients was significantly increased (standardized mean difference 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.72‐1.05, P=0.000). Furthermore, EAT-t was greater in OSA patients than in controls with similar BMIs. However, we did not find significant differences in EAT-v between OSA patients and controls (standardized mean difference 2.46, 95% confidence interval −0.36 to 5.29, P=0.088). EAT-t in the mild, moderate, and severe OSA subgroups was greater than in the controls. In addition, there were significant differences in EAT-t among the mild, moderate, and severe OSA subgroups.Conclusions: EAT-t was greater in patients with OSA than in controls, and EAT-t was also associated with the severity of OSA. These findings may provide a new clue for the pathogenesis and treatment of OSA.

Multiple effects of probiotics on different types of diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 611-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Wang ◽  
Qi-Fang Juan ◽  
Yu-Wei He ◽  
Li Zhuang ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Included Study ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference

AbstractBackground:A systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the effect of probiotics on diabetes and its associated risk factors.Methods:We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science to June 2016. We also hand-searched the citation lists of included studies and previously identified systematic reviews to identify further relevant trials. Our primary outcome variables included glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin. The pooled standardized mean difference was used to compare the effect between the probiotics and controlled groups, and the pooled standardized mean difference effect size with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated using a random-effect model. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q and HigginsI2tests. Two reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted data independently. The analysis and bias for each included study was performed and assessed using Review Manager 5.2.Results:Eighteen randomized, placebo-controlled studies (n=1056 participants, 527 consuming probiotics, 529 not consuming probiotics) were included for analysis. Comparing the probiotics groups with the control groups, there were statistically significant pooled standardized mean differences on the reduction of glucose (−0.61, 95% CI −0.98, −0.24; p=0.001), insulin (−0.49, 95% CI −0.93, −0.04; p=0.03) and HbA1c(−0.39, 95% CI −0.60, −0.19%; p=0.0001). Subgroup analysis also indicated statistical significance on the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in non-type 2 diabetes (non-T2DM) mellitus patients with diabetes, for the pooled standardized mean difference was −0.29 (95% CI −0.54, −0.04; p=0.02).Conclusions:Probiotics may have beneficial effects on the reduction of glucose, insulin and HbA1cfor diabetes, especially for T2DM mellitus patients.

scholarly journals Acupotomy versus acupuncture for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e029052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Chen ◽  
Cai Zhang ◽  
Ren-Pan Zhang ◽  
An-Yang Lin ◽  
Zhong-Biao Xiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Scientific Journal ◽  
Neck Disability Index ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy

IntroductionCervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is the most common pattern of cervical spondylosis, which is a serious and common degenerative disease. Both acupotomy and acupuncture have been widely used clinically to treat CSR in China with satisfied efficacy. However, there is no systematic review comparing the effectiveness of these two therapies. The aim of this study is to compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety between acupotomy and acupuncture for patients with CSR to provide evidence for clinical practice.Methods and analysisThe following electronic databases will be searched: Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure , China Biology Medicine disc, Wanfang Database and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP). The randomised controlled trials of acupotomy versus acupuncture with/without additional treatment for CSR will be searched in the databases from their inception to December 2018 by two researchers independently. Visual analogue scale, symptom score and neck disability index will be assessed as the primary outcomes. The total effective rate, curative rate, adverse events and amount of rescue medication used will be assessed as the secondary outcomes. The Review Manager 5.3 will be used for meta-analysis and the evidence level will be assessed by using the method for Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Continuous outcomes will be presented as the weighted mean difference or standardised mean difference with 95% CI, whereas dichotomous data will be expressed as relative risk with 95% CI. If the included studies have existing heterogeneity (p<0.05), then a random-effects model will be used. Otherwise, we will calculate using a fixed-effects model.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required because no primary data are collected. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at an international academic conference for dissemination.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019117348.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for fibromyalgia patients: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingping Sun ◽  
Lei Fang ◽  
Jianzhong Zhang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Guodong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference

Abstract Objective Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood pain syndrome. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy and is commonly applied for the management of fibromyalgia. However, controversy regarding its efficacy remains. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for fibromyalgia syndrome. Method Four medical databases and one physiotherapy database were screened for randomized controlled trials. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety score, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Short Form-36 general health survey mental score, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were set as outcome measures. Results Analysis of 14 studies and 433 participants indicated that rTMS exerted more favorable effects on the NPRS than sham rTMS after treatment (standardized mean difference = −0.49, 95% confidence interval = −0.86 to − 0.13, P = 0.008, I2 = 68%) and FIQ (standardized mean difference = −0.50, 95% confidence interval = −0.75 to − 0.25, P = 0.0001, I2 = 28%). However, the BDI, FSS, PCS, mood index, and HADS scores showed no significant difference compared with sham rTMS after treatment. The mean methodological quality of included studies was an acceptable score of 8.5 based on the PEDro scale, suggesting the validity of our conclusions. Conclusion This study demonstrated that rTMS relieved pain and enhanced quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia; however, it did not improve anxiety, depression, and other symptoms based on current reports.

scholarly journals Comparison of 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Garba Haruna Yunusa ◽  
Aminu Umar Kaoje ◽  
Akintunde Taiwo Orunmuyi ◽  
Stuart S. More ◽  
Zabah Muhammad Jawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Psma Pet ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Statistical Heterogeneity ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background A wide range of nuclear imaging probes have been developed to address different metabolic processes and cell receptors in prostate cancer patients using positron emission techniques to aid diagnosis, staging, and monitoring for recurrence after treatment. While 68Ga PSMA is a generator-derived PET radiopharmaceutical, SPECT/CT imaging using technetium-99m-labeled PSMA is now available as a suitable alternative. The aim of this study is to compare the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer. Main body of the abstract A search strategy was developed using text words, MeSH, and entry terms. The following databases will be searched: PubMed, African Journals Online (AJOL), Embase, Google scholar, ResearchGate, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria include (a) all studies that are published or retrievable in English language, (b) observational studies, and (c) histopathology analysis or clinical and imaging follow-up or comparison with reference standards. Exclusion criteria will be interventional studies, editorials, reviews, and commentaries. Quality of the studies will be assessed using QUADAS2 Quality scores and risk of bias for individual studies will be reported. Full text of the studies will be reviewed and snowballed for any relevant literature. Assessment of methodological, clinical, and statistical heterogeneity for all the included studies will be made. Publication bias will be assessed using funnel plots. Statistical analysis and forest plots will be performed using the Open Meta-analyst software. The systematic review and meta-analysis will be reported according to PRISMA 2015 Statement. Short conclusion This review will provide data on diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer. Results from this study will help nuclear medicine service providers to make better decisions on the appropriate use of 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT especially with regard to the use of 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT which is relatively affordable and more readily available in developing countries when compared to 68-Ga PSMA PECT/CT.

scholarly journals Effect of interventions based on educational technologies on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in incarcerated women: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e043373
Author(s):  
Isaiane da Silva Carvalho ◽  
Ryanne Carolynne Marques Gomes Mendes ◽  
Priscila de Oliveira Cabral Melo ◽  
Caroline Ferraz Simões ◽  
Luciana Pedrosa Leal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Incarcerated Women ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
World Health ◽  
Educational Technologies ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

IntroductionPrisons are places with high vulnerability and high risk for the development of sexually transmitted infections. World Health Agencies recommend establishing intervention measures, such as information and education, on the prevention of diseases. Thus, technologies as tools for health education have been used to reduce sexually transmitted infections. However, no systematic review has investigated the effectiveness of these interventions. Therefore, this review’s objective is to examine the effect of educational technologies used for preventing sexually transmitted infections in incarcerated women.Methods and analysisPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines will be strictly followed. The following electronic databases will be searched: Scopus; Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, Education Resources Information Center, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Randomised clinical trials of interventions that used educational technologies to prevent sexually transmitted infections in incarcerated women will be searched in the databases from the beginning of 2020 until December by two researchers independently. A narrative synthesis will be constructed for all included studies, and if there are sufficient data, a meta-analysis will be performed using the Review Manager software (V.5.3). Continuous results will be presented as the weighted mean difference or the standardised mean difference with 95% CIs. Under the heterogeneity of the included studies, a random-effects or fixed-effects model will be used. The studies’ heterogeneity will be assessed by the I2 method. The sensitivity analysis will be carried out to examine the magnitude of each study’s influence on the general results. A significance level of p≤0.05 will be adopted.Ethics and disclosureEthical approval is not required because no primary data will be collected. The results will be published in journals reviewed by peers.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020163820.

scholarly journals Impact of interstitial lung disease on mortality in ANCA-associated vasculitis: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 147997312199456
Author(s):  
Peining Zhou ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
Guangfa Wang
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Studies

Several retrospectivee described the association of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, the relationship between the ILD and mortality in AAV patients have not been established so far. This study aims to estimate the relevance of AAV-associated-ILD (AAV-ILD) and mortality risk by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). PubMed, Embase.com and the Cochrane Library (Wiley) were searched for original observational studies. Summary estimates were derived with a random-effects model and reported as risk ratio (RR), tested for publication bias and heterogeneity. Ten retrospective cohort studies were included, comprising 526 AAV-ILD patients enrolled from 1974 to 2018. Meta-analysis yielded a pooled RR of 2.90 (95% confidence interval 1.77–4.74) for death among those with AAV-ILD compared to control group. UIP pattern was associated with an even poorer prognosis in comparison to non-UIP pattern (RR 4.36, 95% confidence interval 1.14–16.78). Sensitivity analysis suggested that the meta-RR result was not skewed by a single dominant study. ILD might be associated with a higher mortality risk in AAV patients.

Impact of Treatment for Nasal Cavity Disorders on Sleep Quality: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110295
Author(s):  
Jacob Fried ◽  
Erick Yuen ◽  
Kathy Zhang ◽  
Andraia Li ◽  
Nicholas R. Rowan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Nasal Obstruction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Subjective Sleep ◽  
The Impact

Objective To determine the impact of treatment for patients with nasal obstruction secondary to allergic rhinitis (AR) and nasal septal deviation (NSD) on sleep quality. Data Sources Primary studies were identified though PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Review Methods A systematic review was performed by querying databases for articles published through August 2020. Studies were included that reported on objective sleep parameters (apnea-hypopnea index) and sinonasal and sleep-specific patient-reported outcome measures: Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EpSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results The database search yielded 1414 unique articles, of which 28 AR and 7 NSD studies were utilized for meta-analysis. A total of 9037 patients (8515 with AR, 522 with NSD) were identified with a mean age of 35.0 years (35.3 for AR, 34.0 for NSD). Treatment for AR and NSD significantly improved subjective sleep quality. For AR, the EpSS mean difference was −1.5 (95% CI, –2.4 to –0.5; P = .002) and for the PSQI, –1.7 (95% CI, –2.1 to –1.2; P < .00001). For NSD, the EpSS mean difference was −3.2 (95% CI, –4.2 to –2.2; P < .00001) and for the PSQI, –3.4 (95% CI, –6.1 to –0.6; P = .02). Conclusion Subjective sleep quality significantly improved following treatment for AR and NSD. There were insufficient data to demonstrate that objective metrics of sleep quality similarly improved.

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