scholarly journals Primary Dysmenorrhea: pathophysiology

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-406
Author(s):  
José Núñez-Troconis ◽  
Daniel Carvallo ◽  
Elizabeth Martínez-Núñez
Keyword(s):  
Lower Abdominal Pain ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
Uterine Blood Flow ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Basal Tone ◽  
Menstruating Women ◽  
The Cochrane Library

The present study was conducted to investigate and analyze the recent and relevant studies about primary dysmenorrhea and its pathophysiology. Literature searches were performed electronically in PubMed, Medline, ISI, DOAJ, Springer, Embase. Web of Knowledge, DOAJ, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library for original articles written in English and in Scielo, Lantidex, Imbiomed-L, Redalyc and Google Scholar for original articles written in Spanish. The searches included the key words (Mesh): menstruation, menstrual period, menstrual cycle, dysmenorrhea, primary dysmenorrhea, inflammatory substance and inflammatory markers. Publications from January 1980 to February 2021 were reviewed. Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic condition experienced by menstruating women. It is characterized by crampy lower abdominal pain that can range widely in severity, and associated to others symptoms. Its overall impact often has significant medical and psychosocial implications. The hallmark of primary dysmenorrhea is painful menses in the absence of any associated macroscopic pathologic process, and it occurs in up to 50% of menstruating females and causes significant disruption in quality of life and absenteeism. An excessive or imbalanced amount of prostanoids and possibly eicosanoids released from the endometrium during menstruation have been mentioned as the main cause of primary dysmenorrhea. The uterus is induced to contract frequently and dysrhythmically, with increased basal tone and increased active pressure. Uterine hypercontractility, reduced uterine blood flow and increased peripheral nerve hypersensitivity induce pain. Diagnosis rests on a good history with negative pelvic evaluation findings. This narrative review investigated and analyzed the pathophysiology of primary dysmenorrhea and the implications of other chemical substances.

scholarly journals The efficacy and safety of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): an update of a systematic review

2000 ◽  
Vol 3 (4a) ◽  
pp. 509-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Ernst ◽  
MH Pittler
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Herbal Remedy ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Tanacetum Parthenium ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
The Cochrane Library

AbstractObjectiveFeverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) is a popular herbal remedy often advocated for the prevention of migraine. The aims of this systematic review are to update the evidence from rigorous clinical trials for or against the efficacy of feverfew for migraine prevention and to provide a safety profile of this herbal remedy.DesignLiterature searches were performed using the following databases: Medline, Embase, Biosis, CISCOM and the Cochrane Library (all from their inception to December 1999). Only randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials of feverfew mono-preparations for the prevention of migraine in human subjects were included. All articles were read by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted in a pre-defined, standardized fashion. The methodological quality of the trials was evaluated by the Jadad score. For the assessment of safety issues, major reference texts were also consulted.ResultsSix trials met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The majority favour feverfew over placebo. Yet important caveats exist. The data also suggest that feverfew is associated with only mild and transient adverse effects and few other safety concerns.ConclusionsFeverfew is likely to be effective in the prevention of migraine. There are no major safety problems.

LITERATURE SEARCHING FOR RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS USED IN COCHRANE REVIEWS: RAPID VERSUS EXHAUSTIVE SEARCHES

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Royle ◽  
Ruairidh Milne
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Allocation Concealment ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cochrane Reviews ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Objectives:To analyze sources searched in Cochrane reviews, to determine the proportion of trials included in reviews that are indexed in major databases, and to compare the quality of these trials with those from other sources.Methods:All new systematic reviews in the Cochrane Library, Issue1 2001, that were restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs were selected. The sources searched in the reviews were recorded, and the trials included were checked to see whether they were indexed in four major databases. Trials not indexed were checked to determine how they could be identified. The quality of trials found in major databases was compared with those found from other sources.Results:The range in the number of databases searched per review ranged between one and twenty-seven. The proportion of the trials in the four databases were Cochrane Controlled Trials Register=78.5%, MEDLINE=68.8%, Embase=65.0%, and Science/Social Sciences Citation Index=60.7%. Searching another twenty-six databases after Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), MEDLINE, and Embase only found 2.4% additional trials. There was no significant difference between trials found in the CCTR, MEDLINE, and Embase compared with other trials, with respect to adequate allocation concealment or sample size.Conclusions:There was a large variation between reviews in the exhaustiveness of the literature searches. CCTR was the single best source of RCTs. Additional database searching retrieved only a small percentage of extra trials. Contacting authors and manufacturers to find unpublished trials appeared to be a more effective method of obtaining the additional better quality trials.

scholarly journals Lumbar Roll Usage While Sitting Reduces the Forward Head Posture in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5171
Author(s):  
Yusuke Handa ◽  
Kenya Okada ◽  
Hiroshi Takasaki
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grade System ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Head Extension ◽  
The Cochrane Library

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated whether the use of a lumbar roll reduced forward head posture (FHP) while sitting among individuals with or without musculoskeletal disorders. EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched from their inception to August 2020. The quality of evidence for variables used in the meta-analysis was determined using the GRADE system. Five studies satisfied the criteria for data analysis. All studies included individuals without any spinal symptoms. Data from five studies on neck angle showed a statistically significant (p = 0.02) overall effect (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.77), indicating a lesser neck flexion angle while sitting with a lumbar roll than without it. Data from two studies on head angle showed a statistically significant (p = 0.04) overall effect (SMD = 0.47), indicating a lesser head extension angle while sitting with a lumbar roll than without it. In each meta-analysis, the quality of evidence was very low in the GRADE system. The use of a lumbar roll while sitting reduced FHP among individuals without spinal symptoms.

scholarly journals Traditional Chinese Herb Combined with Surgery versus Surgery for Varicocele Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong-liang Dun ◽  
Min Yao ◽  
Long Yang ◽  
Xue-jun Cui ◽  
Jian-min Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Chinese Herb ◽  
Chinese Herbs ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Dichotomous Data ◽  
Surgery Group ◽  
Traditional Chinese Herb ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Objective. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to assess the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese herb combined with surgery for male varicocele infertility compared to surgery.Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) data of traditional Chinese herbs combined with surgery for male varicocele fertility versus surgery were collected by searching the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Chinese databases. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Handbook. Study outcomes were presented as risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data.Results. Seventeen of 72 potentially relevant trials met the inclusion criteria. The methodological qualities of the RCTs were low. Compared with the surgery group, the traditional Chinese herb combined with surgery group had superiority in pregnancy rate at 3-month (RR=1.76, andP=0.008), 6-month (RR=1.58, andP=0.0005), and 2-year (RR=1.58, andP=0.0005) follow-ups. No RCT was found to describe the side effects.Conclusion. On considering the low methodological quality of RCTs, there was no enough evidence on traditional Chinese herb with surgery for male varicocele infertility, and more high-quality RCTs of large sample sizes are required.

scholarly journals Safety and Efficacy of Therapeutic Taping in Primary Dysmenorrhea: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bandara EMIA ◽  
Kularathne WNI ◽  
K Brain ◽  
Weerasekara I
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Pain Anxiety

Abstract Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynecological complaint among adolescents and adult women. Various pharmacological and alternative therapies such as therapeutic taping have been used as a treatment of PD. Although several studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic taping in PD, these studies have not provided adequate level of evidence related to the safety and efficacy of therapeutic taping in PD. Hence, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic taping in PD. The following databases; Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, PEDro, CINAHL and any other gray literature sources were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used therapeutic taping to treat PD from inception to June 2021 with the language restricted to English. Independently screened articles by two reviewers were extracted according to the study objectives. A total of nine studies were included in the systematic review, involving 577 participants. Three studies were eligible for meta-analysis to find the pooled effect of taping on pain intensity. The review indicates that therapeutic taping is an effective measure in improving pain, anxiety and quality of life of women with PD. Meta-analysis conducted to compare the effect of elastic therapeutic taping (ETT) to sham taping showed that the ETT is an effective measure in improving pain among women with PD (MD = -3.12 (95% CI -5.64, -0.60); p=0.02; I2=95 %). The quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale and the included RCTs indicated a fair to good level of quality. Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that therapeutic taping is an effective intervention for PD. However, RCTs with higher quality and larger sample sizes are necessary to verify the current results of the review.

scholarly journals Does Conservative Kidney Management Offer a Quantity or Quality of Life Benefit Compared to Dialysis? A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buur Louise Engelbrecht ◽  
Madsen Jens Kristian ◽  
Eidemak Inge ◽  
Krarup Elizabeth ◽  
Lauridsen Thomas Guldager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Place Of Death ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Abstract Background Patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) collaborate with their clinicians when choosing their future treatment modality. Most elderly patients with CKD5 may only have two treatment options: dialysis or conservative kidney management (CKM). The objective of this systematic review was to investigate whether CKM offers a quantity or quality of life benefit compared to dialysis for some patients with CKD5.MethodsThe databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were systematically searched for studies comparing patients with CKD5 treated with CKM or dialysis. The primary outcomes were mortality and quality of life (QoL). Hospitalization, symptom burden, and place of death were secondary outcomes. For studies reporting hazard ratios, pooled values were calculated, and forest plots conducted.ResultsTwenty-four primary studies, all observational, were identified. All studies except one reported an increased mortality in patients treated with CKM (pooled hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.41-0.69). For patients aged ≥ 80 years and for elderly individuals with comorbidities, results were ambiguous. In most studies, CKM seemed advantageous for QoL and secondary outcomes. Findings were limited by the heterogeneity of studies and biased outcomes favouring dialysis.ConclusionsIn general, patients with CKD5 live for a shorter time on CKM than on dialysis. In patients aged ≥ 80 years old, and in elderly individuals with comorbidities, the survival benefits of dialysis seem to be lost. Regarding QoL, symptom burden, hospitalization, and place of death, CKM may have advantages. Higher quality studies are needed to guide patients and clinicians in the decision-making process.

Outcomes of digital biomarker-based interventions: protocol for a systematic review of systematic reviews (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Motahari-Nezhad ◽  
Márta Péntek ◽  
László Gulácsi ◽  
Zsombor Zrubka
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
The Cochrane Library ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Digital Biomarkers

BACKGROUND Digital biomarkers are defined as objective, quantifiable physiological and behavioral data that are collected and measured by means of digital devices such as portables, wearables, implantables or digestibles. For their widespread adoption in publicly financed healthcare systems, it is important to understand how their benefits translate into improved patient outcomes, which is essential for demonstrating their value. OBJECTIVE To assess the quality and strength of evidence of the impact of digital biomarkers on clinical outcomes compared to interventions without digital biomarkers, reported in systematic reviews. METHODS A comprehensive search for 2019-2020 will be conducted in the PubMed and the Cochrane Library using keywords related to digital biomarkers and a filter for systematic reviews. Original full-text English publications of systematic reviews comparing clinical outcomes of interventions with and without digital biomarkers via meta-analysis will be included. The AMSTAR-2 tool will be used to assess the methodological quality of reviews. To assess the quality of evidence, we will evaluate systematic reviews using the GRADE tool. To detect the possible presence of reporting bias, we will record whether the protocol of the systematic reviews was published before the start of the study. A qualitative summary of results by digital biomarker technology and outcome will be provided. RESULTS This protocol was submitted before data collection. The next steps in this review will be initiated after the protocol is accepted for publication. CONCLUSIONS Our study will provide a comprehensive summary of the highest level of evidence available on digital biomarker interventions. Our results will help identify clinical areas where the use of digital biomarkers leads to favorable clinical outcomes. In addition, our findings will highlight areas of evidence gaps where the clinical benefits of digital biomarkers have not yet been demonstrated.

scholarly journals Reflections on melatonin: focus on child mental health

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 444-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwole Famuyiwa ◽  
Abiodun Adewuya
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Quality Of Sleep ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Library Resource ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Aims and MethodTo examine the propriety of the use of melatonin in child and adolescent psychiatry based on findings retrieved from multiple electronic databases including the Cochrane Library resource, covering 1950–2007.ResultsThere is evidence for the effectiveness of melatonin in the initiation of sleep in children with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders but its value in improving quality of sleep is doubtful. Like hormones in general, melatonin has multifarious action sites and hence potential for many side-effects. Posological issues and long-term side-effects are yet to be validly determined.Clinical ImplicationsSleep hygiene should be a major component of the routine intervention programme for insomnia and melatonin judiciously prescribed until the safety of long-term use is known.

scholarly journals Itch in Chronic Wounds: Pathophysiology, Impact, and Management

Medicines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Iannone ◽  
Agata Janowska ◽  
Valentina Dini ◽  
Giulia Tonini ◽  
Teresa Oranges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Tissue Edema ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
The Cochrane Library ◽  
The Impact

Background: The aims of this review are to analyze the current literature regarding the characteristics and pathophysiological mechanisms of itch in chronic wounds, to assess the impact on quality of life and delayed-healing, to focus on the best strategies of prevention and treatment, to highlight the importance of on-going research in order to fully understand the pathophysiology, and to improve the management of target therapies. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. We included a total of 11 articles written in English with relevant information on the pathophysiology of itch in chronic wounds and on management strategies. Results: Itch in chronic wounds was found to be correlated with xerosis, larger wound areas, necrotic tissue and amount of exudate, peripheral tissue edema, sclerosis, granulation tissue, contact dermatitis, and bacterial burden, as well as with lower quality of life. Conclusions: Although there are several aspecific pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, there appears to be no validated prevention or management strategy for itch in chronic wounds. Further studies are needed to clarify the association and pathophysiology of itch in chronic wounds, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical treatments on perilesional skin to reduce itch, to characterize multidimensional sensations of itch in chronic wounds, to identify specific cytokine and chemokine expressions that are correlated to a tailored-based approach, and to develop practical guidelines.

scholarly journals A systematic meta-review of self-management support for people with dementia

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-269
Author(s):  
Judith G Huis in het Veld ◽  
Renate Verkaik ◽  
Berno van Meijel ◽  
Anneke L Francke
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Management Support ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Meta Review ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Self-management support for people with dementia is important to help them and their family caregivers to cope with challenges in daily live. Insight into the effects of self-management support interventions on people with dementia is however lacking, despite existing relevant systematic reviews. We therefore conducted a meta-review of relevant systematic reviews, following the PRISMA statement. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Embase and PsycINFO. The searches were done in December 2015, and all relevant references until then were taken into consideration. No conclusions about the effects of self-management support interventions on people with dementia could be drawn. Recommendations for future research and practice include that self-management support interventions and effect measurements should be wider in scope than psychological well-being.

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