scholarly journals The Role of Hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Author(s):  
Amir Shamshirian ◽  
Amirhossein Hessami ◽  
Keyvan Heydari ◽  
Reza Alizadeh-Navaei ◽  
Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh ◽  
...  

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to examine the role of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of COVID-19. Methods: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane- Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and medRxiv pre-print databases using available MeSH terms for COVID-19 and hydroxychloroquine. Data from all studies that focused on the effectiveness of HCQ with or without the addition of azithromycin (AZM) in confirmed COVID-19 patients, which were published up to 12 September 2020, were collated for analysis using CMA v.2.2.064. Results: Our systematic review retrieved 41 studies. Among these, 37 studies including 45,913 participants fulfilled the criteria for subsequent meta-analysis. The data showed no significant difference in treatment efficacy between the HCQ and control groups (RR: 1.02, 95% CI, 0.81–1.27). Combination of HCQ with AZM also did not lead to improved treatment outcomes (RR: 1.26, 95% CI, 0.91–1.74). Furthermore, the mortality difference was not significant, neither in HCQ treatment group (RR: 0.86, 95% CI, 0.71–1.03) nor in HCQ plus AZM treatment group (RR: 1.28, 95% CI, 0.76–2.14) in comparison to controls. Meta-regression analysis showed that age was the factor that significantly affected mortality (P<0.00001). Conclusion: The meta-analysis found that there was no clinical benefit of using either HCQ by itself or in combination with AZM for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Hence, it may be prudent for clinicians and researchers to focus on other therapeutic options that may show greater promise in this disease. Keywords: Azithromycin, coronavirus outbreaks, pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 disease

Author(s):  
Amir Shamshirian ◽  
Amirhossein Hessami ◽  
Keyvan Heydari ◽  
Reza Alizadeh-Navaei ◽  
Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh ◽  
...  

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to examine the role of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of COVID-19. Methods: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane- Library, Web of Science, Google-Scholar, and medRxiv pre-print databases using available MeSH terms for COVID-19 and hydroxychloroquine. Data from all studies that focused on the effectiveness of HCQ with or without the addition of azithromycin (AZM) in confirmed COVID-19 patients, which were published up to 12 September 2020, were collated for analysis using CMA v.2.2.064. Results: Our systematic review retrieved 41 studies. Among these, 37 studies including 45,913 participants fulfilled the criteria for subsequent meta-analysis. The data showed no significant difference in treatment efficacy between the HCQ and control groups (RR: 1.02, 95% CI, 0.81–1.27). Combination of HCQ with AZM also did not lead to improved treatment outcomes (RR: 1.26, 95% CI, 0.91–1.74). Furthermore, the mortality difference was not significant, neither in HCQ treatment group (RR: 0.86, 95% CI, 0.71–1.03) nor in HCQ+AZM treatment group (RR: 1.28, 95% CI, 0.76–2.14) in comparison to controls. Meta-regression analysis showed that age was the factor that significantly affected mortality (P<0.00001). Conclusion: The meta-analysis found that there was no clinical benefit of using either HCQ by itself or in combination with AZM for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Hence, it may be prudent for clinicians and researchers to focus on other therapeutic options that may show greater promise in this disease. Keywords: Azithromycin, coronavirus outbreaks, pandemic, 2019-nCoV disease


Author(s):  
Nafiseh Ghassab Abdollahi ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽  
Sanaz Mollazadeh

Abstract Introduction Fennel has many medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Given the widespread use of herbal medicine among women for menstrual problems and considering the fact that there has been no study to date about the effect of fennel on menstrual bleeding and duration of menstrual bleeding through systematic review, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of fennel on the amount (primary outcome) and duration of menstrual bleeding and its side-effects (secondary outcomes). Materials All articles, including Persian and English, with no time limit were searched for in the following databases: Medline (through PubMed), Scopus, EMBASE (through Ovid), Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Clininaltrial.gov, SID, Magiran, Irandoc, and Iranmedex, using MeSH terms, including menstrual bleeding, menstruation, severity of bleeding, hypermenorrhea, menorrhagia, fennel, fennelin, Foeniculum vulgare, dysmenorrhea, and painful menstruation, which were searched separately or in combination. Two authors separately reviewed articles to determine the inclusion criteria, and any disagreement was resolved by reaching consensus with a third person. Results A total of 7993 articles were identified through searching the databases, of which 7327 were excluded as duplicates and 666 were screened for inclusion. Six hundread and forty six were excluded by title and abstract based on not being relevant to the review and being conducted on animals. Eventually, six articles were included in the study and four articles entered into the meta-analysis. The results from meta-analysis showed that using fennel caused a significant increase in mean menstrual bleeding in the first cycle after treatment in the intervention group compared to the control (Std. mean difference: 0.46; 95 % CI: 0.18–0.73; p = 0.001; I2 = 9 %). However, it had no significant effect on menstrual bleeding in the second cycle after treatment (Mean difference: 1.44; 95 % CI:-5.09 to 7.96; p = 0.67; I2 = 0 %). Conclusions The results of meta-analysis of four articles showed that in the first cycle after treatment, use of fennel increased menstrual bleeding in the intervention group compared to the control, but meta-analysis of two articles showed no significant difference between intervention and control groups in the amount of menstrual bleeding in the second cycle after treatment. Given the poor quality of articles, conducting clinical trials to determine the effect of fennel on menstrual bleeding appears necessary.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Spezia ◽  
A Bonato ◽  
G De Fortunato ◽  
A Bossi ◽  
M Glauber

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Patients with obesity present structural and functional changes in the heart and in the coronary circulation, which ultimately leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Obesity is associated with a low chronic state of inflammation which seems to be linked to a compromised coronary vasoreactivity, which is shown to be a forerunner and a long-term predictor of clinically relevant cardiovascular events. Methods A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library database. Selection criteria were applied leading to the inclusion of studies of any level of evidence published in peer-reviewed journals reporting clinical or preclinical results. Relative data were extracted and critically analysed. PRISMA guidelines were applied and risk of bias was assessed, as well as the methodological quality of the included studies. After this assessment, we excluded all the articles with serious risk of bias and/or low quality. Meta-analysis was conducted on the data collected regarding coronary blood flow (CFR) and hyperemic myocardial blood flow (MBF), while for the other parameters a descriptive analysis was performed. Results After applying the described criteria, we included 15 articles on human and animal literature assessed as medium or high quality. The data of 1399 patients were examined, 456 of which with obesity (BMI ≥ 30). A pooled effect size analysis shows that coronary flow reserve (CFR) is significantly reduced in patients with obesity [Random Effect (RE): -47.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI) -80.2% – -15.2%; n = 422]. Increased BMI is associated with reduced CFR. The same trend is found evaluating pharmacological induced stress MBF, which was reduced in patients with obesity [RE: -47.8%, 95% CI -73.7% – -21.8%; n = 409]. Nevertheless, MBF at rest did not show a significant difference in patients with obesity from our analysis [RE: 15%, 95% CI -24% - 53%; n = 409]. Pro-inflammatory adipokines secretion, as leptin and CRP, seems to correlate with a significant decrease of stress-induced MBF and reduced CFR. Conclusions Obesity is associated with a significant higher risk of coronary microvascular disfunction, which is reflected by diminished CFR and stress MBF. Systemic inflammation and the imbalance of adipokines related to obesity has been closely linked to a blunt coronary flow. CMD is a pre-clinical heart conditions that often remains undiagnosed. Further evidence is required to clear out the role of Obesity from a molecular point of view on the coronary endothelium.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Raperport ◽  
E Chronopoulou ◽  
R Homburg ◽  
K Khan ◽  
P Bhide

Abstract Study question Does endogenous progesterone play a role in unexplained infertility? A systematic review investigating the possibility of altered progesterone-mediated change leading to reduced endometrial receptivity in women with unexplained infertility. Summary answer The evidence suggests that many of the measurable actions of endogenous progesterone are reduced in women with unexplained infertility when compared with controls. What is known already Unexplained infertility is the diagnosis given to heterosexual couples who fail to conceive despite normal semen analysis, regular ovulation and patent tubes. The underlying pathology is likely to relate to embryonic failure to implant. Endometrial receptivity is largely mediated by luteal phase progesterone which controls many different molecular pathways involved in secretory transformation. It is possible that defective actions of progesterone could contribute to this condition. To date however, there is minimal published literature on the role of progesterone in unexplained infertility. We therefore felt it important to combine the results of all trials measuring progesterone-related outcomes in unexplained infertility. Study design, size, duration A systematic review was performed using standard Cochrane methodology. We searched Medline, Embase and CINAHL databases from inception to December 2020 and additionally hand-searched. The study was prospectively registered on Prospero (CRD42020141041). The search strategy was designed to identify all types of primary research published in English that investigated women with unexplained infertility and reported outcomes that relate to progesterone. Newcastle Ottawa Scoring and NHLBI assessment of bias scoring was performed. Participants/materials, setting, methods The study population was women with unexplained infertility. Included studies had no controls, fertile controls or controls with other diagnoses associated with subfertility. Outcomes were either upstream affecting progesterone production/release or receptor expression or downstream measuring results of progesterone-mediated processes. The results were summarised in a narrative review. Meta-analysis was not possible due to varying methodological heterogeneity. Main results and the role of chance 36 studies were included. No difference was found in 18 studies in progesterone levels (serum, peritoneal and salivary) between women with unexplained infertility and control groups. Despite this, 32 of the 36 included studies demonstrated a significant difference between progesterone-mediated outcomes in the unexplained infertile and control groups. 5 ultrasound studies all reported increased resistance and decreased flow on doppler studies of uterine, ovarian and spiral arteries and reduced endometrial and sub-endometrial perfusion. No significant difference was found in luteal phase endometrial thickness in 2 studies. Endometrial dating was reported by 11 studies. 8/11 studies reported significantly higher numbers (20–38%) of ‘out-of-phase’ endometrium in women with unexplained infertility compared with controls. Endometrial biopsy results measuring different cell adhesion molecules, monoclonal antibodies and other molecules involved in endometrial transformation as well as expression of responsible genes and steroid hormone receptors were included. All the progesterone-mediated outcome measures listed above were reduced in unexplained infertile women except β3 integrin which reported contradictory results and SGK1 expression which was reported in 1 study. This trend towards support for the hypothesis may be more important than any individual finding. The quality of the included studies was variable and hence the strength of the recommendations moderate. Limitations, reasons for caution The number of studies measuring each outcome was limited. The study quality varied from good to poor. Methodological heterogeneity between studies prevented meta-analysis. The strength of the study however comes from the originality of the research, the variety of included outcomes and that 32/36 papers reported results supporting the hypothesis. Wider implications of the findings: The findings of this systematic review support the need for larger, well designed research on this topic. If altered progesterone-mediated receptivity is implicated in unexplained infertility, it may be possible to offer other therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes as an alternative or adjunct to standard fertility treatment. Trial registration number NA


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yemataw Gelaw ◽  
Zegeye Getaneh ◽  
Mulugeta Melku

Abstract Background Tuberculosis is a major public health problem caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, occurring predominantly in population with low socioeconomic status. It is the second most common cause of death from infectious diseases. Tuberculosis becomes a double burden among anemic patients. Anemia increases an individual’s susceptibility to infectious diseases including tuberculosis by reducing the immunity level. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether anemia is a risk factor for tuberculosis. Method Relevant published articles were searched in electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library using the following MeSH terms: risk factor, predictors, tuberculosis, TB, Anaemia, Anemia, hemoglobin, Hgb, and Hb. Articles written in the English, observational studies conducted on the incidence/prevalence of tuberculosis among anemic patients, or papers examined anemia as risk factors for tuberculosis were included. From those studies meeting eligibility criteria, the first author’s name, publication year, study area, sample size and age of participants, study design, and effect measure of anemia for tuberculosis were extracted. The data were entered using Microsoft Excel and exported to Stata version 11 for analysis. The random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled OR and HR, and 95% CI. The sources of heterogeneity were tested by Cochrane I-squared statistics. The publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test statistics. Results A total of 17 articles with a 215,294 study participants were included in the analysis. The odd of tuberculosis among anemic patients was 3.56 (95% CI 2.53–5.01) times higher than non-anemic patients. The cohort studies showed that the HR of tuberculosis was 2.01 (95% CI 1.70–2.37) times higher among anemic patients than non-anemic patients. The hazard of tuberculosis also increased with anemia severity (HR 1.37 (95% CI 0.92–2.05), 2.08 (95% CI 1.14–3.79), and 2.66 (95% CI 1.71–4.13) for mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively). Conclusion According to the current systematic review and meta-analysis, we can conclude that anemia was a risk factor for tuberculosis. Therefore, anemia screening, early diagnose, and treatment should be provoked in the community to reduce the burden of tuberculosis.


Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Ahmed ◽  
Osama G. Hassan ◽  
Ahmed A. Khalifa

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common upper limb entrapment neuropathy; severe cases are treated surgically and mild to moderate can be managed conservatively. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to define the efficacy of gabapentin as an adjuvant to splinting in the treatment of mild to moderate CTS. Methods A systematic search through 13 databases, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the use of gabapentin with splinting in CTS were included and analyzed. Results Three RCTs including 170 patients were eligible. There was no significant difference between gabapentin plus splinting and splinting alone in 5 measured parameters: (1) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) [MD (95% CI) = − 0.76 (− 2.46–0.93), p = 0.378], (2) Functional Status Scale (FSS) [MD (95% CI) = − 0.23 (− 1.40–0.94), p = 0.701], (3) visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess pain [MD (95% CI) = − 0.6 (− 1.47–0.27), p = 0.174], (4) Grip strength [MD (95% CI) = − 0.11 (− 0.70–0.48), p = 0.718], and (5) pinch strength [MD (95% CI) = 0.72 (− 0.10–1.54), p = 0.083]. Conclusion This review provides low-quality evidence that gabapentin plus nocturnal splinting is not superior to splinting alone. More high-quality trials are needed to determine the role of this drug as an adjuvant in the management of CTS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijuan Hu ◽  
Dongling Zhong ◽  
Qiwei Xiao ◽  
Qiang Chen ◽  
Juan Li ◽  
...  

Objective. With the increasing social and economic burdens of balance impairment after stroke, the treatment for balance impairment after stroke becomes a major public health problem worldwide. Kinesio taping (KT) as a part of clinical practice has been used widely in the treatment of balance impairment after stroke. However, the clinical effects of KT for balance function have not been confirmed. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects and safety of KT for balance impairment after stroke. Methods. We conducted a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of KT for balance impairment after stroke. We searched the following databases: (1) English databases: EMBASE (via Ovid), MEDLINE (via Ovid), the Cochrane library, PubMed, and PEDro; (2) Chinese databases: China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wan Fang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and VIP. Besides, hand searches of relevant references were also conducted. We systematically searched from the inception to December 2018, using the keywords (Kinesio, Kinesio Tape, tape, or Orthotic Tape) and (stroke, hemiplegia, or hemiplegic paralysis) and (balance or stability). The search strategies were adjusted for each database. The reference lists of included articles were reviewed for relevant trials. For missing data, we contacted the authors to get additional information. Results. 22 RCTs involved 1331 patients, among which 667 patients in the experimental group and 664 patients in the control group were included. Results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with conventional rehabilitation (CR), there was significant difference in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD=4.46, 95%CI 1.72 to 7.19, P=0.001), Time Up and Go Test (TUGT) (MD=-4.62, 95%CI -5.48 to -3.79, P < 0.00001), functional ambulation category scale (FAC) (MD=0.53, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.68, P < 0.00001), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-L) (MD=4.20, 95%CI 3.17 to 5.24, P < 0.00001), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) (MD=-0.38, 95%CI -0.49 to -0.27, P < 0.00001). The results of subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference between KT and CR with ≤4 weeks treatment duration (< 4 weeks: MD=5.03, 95%CI -1.80 to 11.85, P=0.15; =4 weeks: MD=4.33, 95%CI -1.50 to 10.15, P=0.15), while there was significant difference with more than 4-week treatment duration (MD=4.77, 95%CI 2.58 to 6.97, P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Based on current evidence, KT was more effective than CR for balance function, lower limb function, and walking function in poststroke patients. Longer treatment duration may be associated with better effects. However, more well-conducted RCTs are required in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
ABDOUL Hafizou RABE ◽  
Fatima SALEK ◽  
Intissar El IDRISSI ◽  
Fatima ZAOUI ◽  
Hicham BENYAHIA

Abstract  Background: Our study aims to evaluate, through a systematic review, the reliability of numerical models compared to conventional models on the main parameters of orthodontic diagnosis  Method: four databases were consulted: PubMed; Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Ebscohost. The research included published studies since 2010, meta-analysis studies, randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies. Results: Among 3811 selected references, only five studies met our inclusion criteria. In the systematic review, there were statistical differences between the digital models and the plaster models. However, this difference is clinically acceptable. On the other hand, there are some limitations, relative to the types of the severity of the congestion, the elapsed time to digitize, and the numerical means. Conclusion: The results of our systematic review have shown that there is no clinically significant difference between the numerical and physical models for the majority of diagnostic parameters.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-132
Author(s):  
Fahime Khorasani ◽  
Fariba Ghaderi ◽  
Parvin Sarbakhsh ◽  
Parisa Ahadi ◽  
Elahe Khorasani ◽  
...  

Objectives: The present systematic review focused on the prevention or treatment of three main types of pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) specifically pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI), and fecal incontinence (FI) using physiotherapy and pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs). With regard to the breadth of the problem, there is not much evidence grounded on the best management. The main purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physiotherapy and PFMEs on the prevention and treatment of pregnancy-related PFDs; namely, POP, FI, and UI. Therefore, this review incorporated studies comparing the use of physiotherapy and PFMEs with every other existing interventions. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on randomized-controlled-trial (RCT) articles and quasi-RCT designs through a search in the studies published with no time limits until December 2017 in the databases of PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. The meta-analysis was also applied for data synthesis. Moreover, heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I2 index. Results: A total number of 26 RCTs were examined in this review in which the outcome variables were related to POP, UI, and FI prevalence; POP, UI, and FI severity, as well as pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and endurance. In most articles, UI prevalence or severity in intervention groups had significantly improved compared with those in controls. The number of studies examining POP and FI was also relatively low. In two studies, FI severity or prevalence in intervention groups had significantly enhanced in comparison with those in control groups; however, FI prevalence in two articles had been reported lower in intervention groups than that in control groups although no significant difference had been observed. There was also no significant improvement in intervention groups in two other studies in this respect. Besides, three articles had not reported traces of improvement in POP, as well as a significant difference between intervention and control groups. Nevertheless, two studies had found a significant improvement in POP in this regard. Based on meta-analysis results for the variable of PFM strength, Cochran’s Q test (P<0.001) and I2 index (90.02) indicated heterogeneity between studies; so, a random-effect meta-analysis was applied to estimate overall effect sizes. The overall mean differences following intervention between the study groups were also equal to 6.94, with a 95% CI (1.36 to 12.52). Conclusions: It was concluded that physiotherapy and PFMEs might have effects on pregnancy-related UI, but they had not consistently reduced FI severity or prevalence and failed to constantly improve POP.


Digestion ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Daxin Guo ◽  
Wei Dai ◽  
Jingyi Shen ◽  
Mengting Zhang ◽  
Yetan Shi ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains a debatable issue. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics in SAP. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This meta-analysis of prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics for SAP was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library up to February 2021. The related bibliographies were manually searched. The primary outcomes involved infected pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis, mortality, complications, infections, and organ failure. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Seven articles comprised 5 randomized controlled trials and 2 retrospective observational studies, including 3,864 SAP participants. Prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics in SAP were associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of infections (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27; <i>p</i> = 0.03) and complications (OR: 0.48; <i>p</i> = 0.009). Nevertheless, no statistically significant difference was demonstrated in the incidence of infected pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis (OR: 0.74; <i>p</i> = 0.24), mortality (OR: 0.69; <i>p</i> = 0.17), extrapancreatic infection (OR: 0.64, <i>p</i> = 0.54), pulmonary infection (OR: 1.23; <i>p</i> = 0.69), blood infection (OR: 0.60; <i>p</i> = 0.35), urinary tract infection (OR: 0.97; <i>p</i> = 0.97), pancreatic pseudocyst (OR: 0.59; <i>p</i> = 0.28), fluid collection (OR: 0.91; <i>p</i> = 0.76), organ failure (OR: 0.63; <i>p</i> = 0.19), acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR: 0.80; <i>p</i> = 0.61), surgical intervention (OR: 0.97; <i>p</i> = 0.93), dialysis (OR: 2.34; <i>p</i> = 0.57), use of respirator or ventilator (OR: 1.90; <i>p</i> = 0.40), intensive care unit treatment (OR: 2.97; <i>p</i> = 0.18), and additional antibiotics (OR: 0.59; <i>p</i> = 0.28) between the experimental and control groups. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> It is not recommended to administer routine prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics in SAP.


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