scholarly journals Mortality Comparison of Using Anti Interleukin-6 Therapy and Using Standard Treatment in Severe Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
Jonathan Christianto Sutadji ◽  
Agung Dwi Wahyu Widodo ◽  
Danti Nur Indiastuti

Severe Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) can cause serious lung inflammation and death. COVID-19 is characterized by a high mortality rate. This severity is associated with the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines called "cytokine storms". One of the cytokines that play a central role is Interleukin-6 (IL-6). High IL-6 levels are associated with mortality. Expectedly, the IL-6 blockade could reduce cytokine storms and thus reduce deaths in severe COVID-19 patients. This systematic review aimed to summarize the comparison between mortality using anti-IL-6 therapy and mortality using standard treatment in severe COVID-19 patients. We systematically searched the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest databases until 13 August 2020. After screening, twelve studies matched the inclusion criteria. The mortality of the anti-IL-6 therapy group was lower than the standard treatment group without anti-IL-6 therapy in COVID-19 patients in 10 of the 12 studies obtained. Four of the ten studies statistically found a significant difference in mortality of the anti-IL-6 therapy group and the standard treatment group. Confirmation of anti-IL-6 therapy effectiveness in reducing mortality in severe COVID-19 patients will require randomized controlled trials.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 1088-1092
Author(s):  
Umi Budi Rahayu ◽  
Samekto Wibowo ◽  
Ismail Setyopranoto

BACKGROUND: Early mobilisation (EM) after-ischemic stroke is a motor learning intervention aimed to restore nerve cells and to improve balance and functional ability. Unfortunately, the study of when this intervention began has not been widely studied. AIM: On this study was compared the effect of EM started at 24 hours and 48 hours after an ischemic stroke on balance and functional ability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trial involving 40 patients on 2 groups meeting predefined inclusion criteria. The levels of balance were measured using the Berg Balance Scale, and the functional ability was measured using the Barthel Index, at 5th and 7th day. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in both balance (p = 0.038) and functional ability (p = 0.021) obtained on the 7th day of assessment between both groups. A significant difference on the 5th day was observed only in the functional ability (p = 0.002) and not in the balance (p = 0.147), between the groups. CONCLUSION: EM started at 24 hours after the ischemic stroke has been found to have a better impact on balance and functional ability compared to that at 48 hours.


Author(s):  
Changying Yi ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Meili Fan

<B>Objective:</B> Functional fecal incontinence in children (FFIC), also known as functional fecal disorder in children, is a type of childhood diseases characterized by excretory dysfunction. In the study, we observed the clinical effect of Changqiang acupoint injection on functional fecal incontinence in children (FFIC) by randomized controlled clinical trials. <BR><B>Materials and methods:</B> 140 children with functional fecal incontinence who met the screening criteria were respectively assigned into the treatment group (100 cases) and the control group (40 cases) according to the completely randomized controlled design. In the treatment group, Chuankezhi injection was administrated at the Changqiang acupoint once a week for three weeks (one course of treatment). In contrast, the subjects in the control group was instructed to receive sphincter exercise and defecation training, followed by an assessment on the therapeutic efficacy after one course of treatment. <BR><B>Results:</B> The overall response rate of the two groups was 93.00% (93/100) and 57.50% (23/40), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). The treatment group showed a performance superior to the control group based on the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score System (CCF-FI)—dry stool incontinence, liquid incontinence, gas incontinence, lifestyle change, necessity of using pads or antidiarrheals, the ability to delay defecation, and the total score. The inter-group comparison revealed a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). <BR><B>Conclusion:</B>Changqiang acupoint injection has significant curative effect on FFIC as demonstrated by significant relief in the symptoms associated with fecal incontinence, and thus is considered as a useful approach to be widely applied in clinical practice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Nabeeh A AlQahtani ◽  
Jimly James Kunjappu ◽  
Kholood Badr Al Ghamdi ◽  
Shreyas Tikare

Aim: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of oil pulling with virgin olive oil and chlorhexidine mouthwash in reducing plaque and gingivitis.Material and Methods: A total of sixty subjects satisfying the inclusion criteria were selected. The subjects were then randomly divided into two groups of thirty each. Group I used oil pulling with olive oil and Group II used 0.2% chlorhexidine as mouthwash. The plaque index and modified gingival index scores were measured at baseline, first week and second week.Results: The results showed that there was statistically significant reduction of mean plaque and gingivitis scores from baseline to first week and second week in both olive oil (p<0.05) and chlorhexidine group (p<0.05). There was significant difference in mean plaque scores between olive oil group and chlorhexidine group at second week (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in mean gingivitis scores between olive oil group and chlorhexidine group at second week (p<0.05).Conclusions: Oil pulling with virgin olive oil was found to be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Regular and proper oil pulling with virgin olive oil can therefore be recommended as a routine home-based practice in promoting oral health.


2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
Benedetta Santarlasci ◽  
Giovanni Biricolti ◽  
Cecilia Orsi

BACKGROUND: In schizophrenia the drop-out rate can be used as proxy of effectiveness. The drop-out evaluation is also important considering the relevant economic impact for NHS of an antipsychotic therapy discontinuation in terms of patient hospitalization and other related healthcare resources consumption. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in the rates of drop-out from clinical trials between olanzapine and aripiprazole. METHODS: Literature search was based on MEDLINE, on Iowa-IDIS and Drugdex databases (1966-Dec 2004). Analysis included 12 randomized controlled trials (3.778 patients), 8 for olanzapine (2.559 patients) and 4 for aripiprazole (1.219 patients). RCT inclusion criteria were: a) Patients affected by schizophrenia; b) Randomized assignment to olanzapine or aripiprazole treatment group; c) Number of patients included in the treatment group higher than 100; d) Drop-out frequency evaluation between 4th and 26th weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: The rate of treatment discontinuation was greater for aripiprazole than for olanzapine (42,2% vs. 31,6% respectively). The comparison between drop-out percentages is statistically significant (p


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Salehi ◽  
Mahdi Barkhori Mehni ◽  
Mohammadmehdi Akbarian ◽  
Samrand Fattah Ghazi ◽  
Nasim Khajavi Rad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To access the effect of Intravenous immunoglobulin ‎‎(IVIG) in critically ill corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.Method: In this retrospective matched cohort study, records of three tertiary centers with large number of COVID-19 admissions were evaluated and used. Based on treatment options, ‎patients were divided into two groups, standard COVID-19 treatment (109 patients) and IVIG treatment (74 patients) patients. Also, the effect of IVIG in different dosages was evaluated. Patients with IVIG treatment were divided into three groups of ‎low (0.25 gr/kg), medium (0.5 gr/kg), and high (1 gr/kg) dose. Data analysis was performed using independent t-test and ‎One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the ‎outcomes between two groups, including duration of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and mortality rate.‎Result: The duration of hospitalization in the IVIG group ‎were significantly longer than standard treatment (13.74 days vs. 11.10 days, p<0.05). There was not a significant difference between the two groups in ICU length of stay, number of intubated patients and duration of mechanical ventilation (P>0.05).‎ Also initial ‎outcomes in IVIG subgroups were compared separately with the standard ‎treatment group. The results indicated that only the duration of hospitalization ‎in the IVIG subgroup with medium dose is significantly longer than the standard ‎treatment group (P<0.01).Conclusion: Using IVIG is not beneficial for COVID-19 patients based on no remarkable differences in duration of hospitalization, ICU length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and even mortality rate.


Author(s):  
Karen Luyt ◽  
Sally L Jary ◽  
Charlotte L Lea ◽  
Grace J. Young ◽  
David E Odd ◽  
...  

BackgroundProgressive ventricular dilatation after intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants has a very high risk of severe disability and death. Drainage, irrigation and fibrinolytic therapy (DRIFT), in a randomised controlled trial (RCT), reduced severe cognitive impairment at 2 years.ObjectiveTo assess if the cognitive advantage of DRIFT seen at 2 years persisted until school age.ParticipantsThe RCT conducted in four centres recruited 77 preterm infants with IVH and progressive ventricular enlargement over specified measurements. Follow-up was at 10 years of age.InterventionIntraventricular injection of a fibrinolytic followed by continuous lavage, until the drainage was clear, and standard care consisting of control of expansion by lumbar punctures and if expansion persisted via a ventricular access device.Primary outcomeCognitive quotient (CQ), derived from the British Ability Scales and Bayley III Scales, and survival without severe cognitive disability.ResultsOf the 77 children randomised, 12 died, 2 could not be traced, 10 did not respond and 1 declined at 10-year follow-up. 28 in the DRIFT group and 24 in the standard treatment group were assessed by examiners blinded to the intervention. The mean CQ score was 69.3 (SD=30.1) in the DRIFT group and 53.7 (SD=35.7) in the standard treatment group (unadjusted p=0.1; adjusted p=0.01, after adjustment for the prespecified variables sex, birth weight and IVH grade). Survival without severe cognitive disability was 66% in the DRIFT group and 35% in the standard treatment group (unadjusted p=0.019; adjusted p=0.003).ConclusionDRIFT is the first intervention for posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation to objectively demonstrate sustained cognitive improvement.Trial registration numberISRCTN80286058.


Author(s):  
Zhiwei ZHANG ◽  
Bojun LI ◽  
Zhichao WANG ◽  
Lina WU ◽  
Lili SONG ◽  
...  

Background: We aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of high-voltage pulsed current (HVPC) in the treatment of pressure ulcer. Methods: We searched the databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Elsevier and EMBASE to identify randomized controlled studies on the application of HVPC in pressure ulcer treatment, up to January 2019. Two authors independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data and evaluated the quality. RevMan 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis. Four randomized controlled trials involving a total of 176 patients were included in the study. Results: Meta-analysis showed that the percentage of wound area reduction in the HVPC treatment group was higher than that in the control group (95%CI 24.59, 47.76, P<0.001). Descriptive analysis showed that there was no significant difference in wound healing between the HVPC treatment group and the control group. One study reported that there was contact dermatitis, and the rest of the studies reported no adverse events. Conclusion: Compared with the conventional therapy, the combination with HVPC therapy can reduce the area of pressure ulcers more effectively. However, due to the small number of the studies included in this evaluation, the conclusions need to be verified by more high-quality studies.


Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Ougrin ◽  
Saqib Latif

Background: Despite recent advances in the understanding and treatment of self-harm, poor engagement with therapy remains a serious problem. Aims: To investigate whether offering specific psychological treatment (SPT) leads to better engagement than offering treatment as usual (TAU) in adolescents who have self-harmed. Methods: Data sources were identified by searching Medline, PsychINFO, EMBASE, and PubMed for randomized controlled trials comparing SPT versus TAU in adolescents presenting with self-harm. Results: Seven studies met inclusion criteria, and six were entered into the meta-analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between the number of subjects not completing four or more sessions of an SPT (27.7%, 70/253) than TAU (43.3%, 106/245), RR = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.49–1.05). Conclusions: Engaging adolescents with psychological treatment is necessary although not sufficient to achieve treatment goals. Further research is needed to develop tools for maximizing engagement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1083-1083
Author(s):  
Reiki Nishimura ◽  
Hirofumi Mukai ◽  
Yukari Uemura ◽  
Hiromitsu Akabane ◽  
Youngjin Park ◽  
...  

1083 Background: Anthracycline regimens and taxane have been first line chemotherapeutic options for HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer. In a previous phase III trial (SELECT BC), non-inferiority of S-1 was demonstrated in terms of overall survival (OS). The SELECT BC-CONFIRM study was designed to confirm the results of the SELECT BC study and to combine the two randomized studies. Methods: Patients (n = 618) in the first trial were randomly assigned (1:1) to the S-1 group or the taxane group. Patients (n = 230) in the second trial (SELECT BC-CONFIRM) were randomly assigned to the anthracycline group or the S-1 group. Treatment continued until tumor progression, unacceptable toxic effects, or completion of six courses in the standard regimen group and four courses in the S-1 group. The primary endpoint was OS and secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure, adverse events, HRQOL and cost-effectiveness. A pooled analysis of the two studies was predefined to confirm the results of the SELECT BC study. Results: 1. The HR for the anthracycline group was 1.09 [95%CI 0.80-1.48] in SELECT BC-CONFIRM, and the estimated predictive posterior probability that the HR does not exceed the threshold 1.333 was 90.27%. 2. Median OS was 32.7 months (S-1 group) and 36.3 months (standard treatment group). S-1 was not inferior to standard treatment in terms of OS (p non-inferiority = 0.0062). Median PFS was 11.2 months (S-1 group) and 11.2 months (standard treatment group). 3. Treatment was discontinued due to adverse events (i.e., neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, fatigue and edema) in 5.7% in the S-1 group and 6.6% in the standard treatment group 4. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (global health status) revealed that there was no difference between the S-1 and anthracycline groups (p = 0.257), but there was a significant difference between the S-1 and taxane groups (p = 0.0039). Conclusions: S-1 is not inferior to taxane or anthracycline with respect to OS as a first-line treatment for MBC. S-1 should be considered a new option as a first-line chemotherapy for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients. Clinical trial information: UMIN000005449.


Hypertension ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Wang ◽  
Donna Wang

Hypertension is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, and one of the goals of anti-hypertensive treatment is to protect the kidney. However, it is unknown how low of blood pressure as the treatment target should be so that anti-hypertensive therapy would not bring harm to patients especially for those already suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, we used the data set from The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) to study the effect of lowering systolic blood pressure on renal disease development. The SPRINT data randomly assigned patients with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 mm Hg or higher to a SBP treatment target of less than 120 mm Hg (intensive treatment, n=4678) or a treatment target of less than 140 mm Hg (standard treatment, n=4683). We examined the effect of intensive treatment on six renal outcomes: 1) CKD composite, 2)50 percent reduction in eGFR, 3) dialysis 4) albuminuria, 5) 30 percent reduction in eGFR for patients with CKD at baseline (n=2646) and 6) albuminuria for patients without CKD at baseline (n=6715). Generalized Estimating Equation is used to account the correlation of blood pressure levels over time. At the end of year 1, the mean SBP was 121.4± 0.21 mm Hg in the intensive treatment group and 136.2± 0.21 mm Hg in the standard treatment group. The patients in intensive group were found to have a higher chance of 30% reduction of eGFR (OR=3.684, 95% CI= 2.51-5.40) than in standard treatment group. There was no difference between intensive and standard treatment groups for other 5 outcomes. In addition, 1 mm Hg elevation in SBP in patients with CDK at baseline significantly increased the chance of CKD composite (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.01-1.04), the chance of 50 percent reduction in eGFR (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01-1.05), and chance of 30 percent reduction in eGFR (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01-1.02). Thus, SBP significantly correlated with renal outcomes in CKD patients. Our data show that five renal outcomes examined using SPRINT data set are not improved by intensive management of SBP in CKD patients, rather, patients received intensive management have a higher risk of eGFR reduction by 30%, which could be detrimental. Our study indicated that intensive SBP management should not be recommended to CKD patients.


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