Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparison of different drug for reducing testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35152. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035152.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The optimal drug for treatment with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was in debate. We did this network meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of different drugs for reducing testosterone levels in women with PCOS.

METHODS: We searched studies from inception until January 10, 2023, through PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library database. All studies comparing different drugs for reducing testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome were included in this network meta-analysis. Outcomes were total testosterone levels, free testosterone levels, and withdraw due to adverse events. We calculated the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) for each treatment.

RESULTS: Finally, a total of 13 studies were finally included in this network meta-analysis. In head-to-head comparison, atorvastatin (WMD -3.1, 95% CrI: -3.7 to -2.5), metformin (WMD -2.6, 95% CrI: -3.5 to -1.6), metformin + simvastatin (WMD -2.8, 95% CrI: -4.1 to -1.5), simvastatin (WMD -2.7, 95% CrI: -4.2 to -1.3), spironolactone (WMD -3.1, 95% CrI: -4.3 to -1.9), spironolactone + metformin (WMD -3.2, 95% CrI: -4.5 to -2.0) were all more effective than the placebo, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The SUCRA shows that spironolactone + metformin ranked first (SUCRA, 85.0%), Atorvastatin ranked second (SUCRA, 77.7%), Spironolactone ranked third (SUCRA, 77.2%), and metformin + simvastatin ranked the fourth. The SUCRA of different drugs for free testosterone levels shows that atorvastatin ranked first (SUCRA, 75.0%), spironolactone + metformin ranked second (SUCRA, 5.3%), metformin + simvastain ranked third (SUCRA, 62.6%), and spironolactone ranked the fourth (SUCRA, 56.4%). No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 treatment groups for withdrawn due to adverse events (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Considering the network meta-analysis and rankings, atorvastatin was recommended to be the optimal drug for treatment PCOS. However, the optimal dose of atorvastatin was unknown and should be verified by more randomized controlled trials.

PMID:37832133 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035152

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

The effect of preexisting heart failure and coronary artery disease on motor function recovery in cerebral infarct patients: A retrospective observational study

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35453. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035453.

ABSTRACT

Less is known about the impact of heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease (CAD) on motor recovery after cerebral infarction although previous studies have reported that preexisting HF and CAD were associated with increased mortality in stroke patients as well as unfavorable functional outcomes. In this study, we aimed to accurately evaluate the impact of HF and CAD on motor recovery after cerebral infarction by including only patients with corona radiata using diffusion tensor tractography. A total of 110 patients were recruited, and diffusion tensor tractography was performed within 7 to 30 days of infarct onset. Motor function on the affected side was evaluated for each patient using the upper myocardial infarction (MI), lower MI, modified Brunnstrom classification, and the functional ambulation category at the onset of stroke and 6 months after the onset of stroke. The influence of preexisting HF and CAD on the recovery of motor function were analyzed, adjusting for critical factors for motor recovery after stroke, namely the corticospinal tract condition, lesion location, age, and upper and lower MIs at the onset of stroke. No significant difference was found in motor outcomes according to the presence of HF, while poorer outcomes in motor function of the lower extremities and gait ability were observed in patients with CAD compared to patients without CAD. Motor function of the lower extremities and gait ability in cerebral infarct patients with CAD is more impaired than those without CAD.

PMID:37832132 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035453

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Understanding multi-level barriers to medication adherence among adults living with sickle cell disease

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35400. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035400.

ABSTRACT

There is limited research that identifies and examines multi-level barriers to medication adherence among adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD); Identify multi-level barriers to medication adherence among adults with SCD; and Examine the relationship between multi-level barriers and medication adherence levels. A cross-sectional study included 130 adults (ages ≥ 18 years old) living with SCD who receive treatment/care from one of the 10 adult SCD clinics within the Networking California for sickle cell care initiative. Study measures included the medication adherence report scale (Professor Rob Horne), Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (Professor Rob Horne), and patient reported outcomes measurement information system. Participants reported barriers to medication adherence across 3 levels: Community-level barriers (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic); Institutional-level barriers (e.g., bad experiences with the health care system); and Individual-level barriers (e.g., beliefs and depression severity). Depression severity and patient concerns about SCD medication were inversely correlated with medication adherence (rs = -0.302, P < .001; rs = -0.341, P < .001 respectively). Patient beliefs about the necessity of SCD medication were insignificantly correlated with medication adherence (rs = 0.065, P = .464). Medication adherence was higher among patients who had fewer adherence barriers than multiple adherence barriers (Median medication adherence: fewer barriers = 22 vs multiple barrier = 20.50, P = .085), suggesting clinical significance although statistically insignificant. Identifying multi-level adherence barriers and examining their relationship with medication adherence will help develop targeted public health strategies to promote improved medication adherence and wellness among adults with SCD.

PMID:37832127 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035400

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Red blood cell distribution width has a prognostic value for gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy: A pooling-up analysis

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35554. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035554.

ABSTRACT

Our study aims to investigate whether preoperative red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has a prognostic value for patients after gastric cancer (GC) surgery. We searched articles in 3 databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library on May 16th, 2022. The prognostic indicators included overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RevMan 5.3 (The Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom) and Stata V16.0 were used for statistical analysis. The Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions tool was used to assess risk of bias of the included studies. Ten articles involving 2740 patients were included. RDW was a prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38-2.37, P < .01) and DFS (hazard ratio = 1.99, I2 = 26%, 95% CI = 1.53-2.58, P < .01) for GC patients. Meanwhile, there were some differences between the high RDW group and the low RDW group. We found more patients older than 60 years old (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.08-6.13, P = .03), larger tumor diameter (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.33-2.85, P < .01) and later T stage (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.07-3.42, P = .03) in the high RDW group than the low RDW group. No statistic difference was found in gender, N stage, tumor node metastasis stage, vascular invasion, differentiation, and adjuvant therapy between the 2 groups (P > .05). RDW was an independent prognostic factor for both OS and DFS of GC patients. High RDW level were strongly associated with poor survival.

PMID:37832121 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035554

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Can Pseudothrombocytopenia be recognised at first look?

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35395. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035395.

ABSTRACT

Our aim was to determine the laboratory parameters that distinguish pseudothrombocytopenia from true thrombocytopenia. A total of 107 patients who were referred to the adult hematology outpatient clinic with thrombocytopenia and subsequently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, immune thrombocytopenia and pseudothrombocytopenia were included in our study. Hemogram parameters on admission, platelet value in the control hemogram and peripheral smear findings were recorded. Forty three (40.2%) males and 64 (59.8%) females, were included in our study. There were 25 patients in the leukaemia group, 39 in the immune thrombocytopenia group and 43 in the pseudothrombocytopenia group. Control platelet value and red cell distribution width/platelet ratio were found to be statistically significantly different between the 3 groups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis based on platelet values showed that platelet value ≤ 38,000/µL (86% sensitivity, 78.1% specificity, P < .001), difference between 2 consecutively measured platelet levels ≤ 11. 000/µL (79.1% sensitivity, 79.7% specificity, P < .001), red cell distribution width/platelet ratio ≥ 0.413 (90.7% sensitivity, 78.1% specificity, P < .001) were found to be in favor of true thrombocytopenia. In the differentiation of pseudothrombocytopenia and true thrombocytopenia, the difference between the hemogram parameters at the time of admission and the platelet count in the control blood count may be guiding. This result may reduce patient and physician anxiety and prevent patient referral.

PMID:37832120 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035395

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Clinico-epidemiological profile of cerebrovascular accident in eastern Nepal: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35569. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035569.

ABSTRACT

cerebrovascular accident (CVA) has contributed to a significant increase in the morbidity and mortality rates in lower middle-income counties like Nepal. Despite being a common noncommunicable disease in Nepal, little attention has been paid to it, in terms of formulating national health plans and policies by the concerned authorities. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in patients diagnosed with cerebrovascular accidents at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Nepal. We analyzed 128 diagnosed cases of cerebrovascular accidents from February 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023 after taking ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference no. IRC-PA-283/2078-79). Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. The objective of this study was to explore the age and sex distribution of CVA, its association with medical co-morbidities, and known risk factors like Type-2-Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, thyroid disorders, smoking and alcohol. Together with calculating the distribution of ischemic CVA and hemorrhagic CVA we had also staged the disease based on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale.

PMID:37832119 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035569

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

The degree of C-reactive protein elevation after total knee arthroplasty is related to bone and medullary injury rather than soft tissue

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35472. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035472.

ABSTRACT

First, we want to find out whether computer-assisted surgery (CAS) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which does not require opening the femoral medullary canal, results in a lesser C-reactive protein (CRP) level increase postoperatively compared to manual TKA. Second, they seek to examine whether the CRP reduction in CAS TKA and manual TKA follows a similar pattern within the first 2 weeks after surgery. Third, the study aims to compare and analyze the CRP levels in 3 different groups: CRP levels in CAS TKA with surgeons who started TKA surgery by CAS, CRP levels in manual TKA by surgeons with little experience, and CRP levels in skillful manual TKA performed after conducting over 200 cases. The 3 patient groups were as follows. Group 1: Patients who underwent non expertized surgeon CAS TKA (N = 63). Group 2: Patients who underwent manual TKA after surgeon CAS TKA experience (N = 108). Group 3: Patients who underwent manual TKA after surgeon 200 cases or more of either CAS TKA or manual TKA experience (more skillful manual TKA) (N = 66). CRP levels were analyzed using electronic medical records for 3 time points: within 3 months before surgery, 5 days after surgery, and 11 days after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in pre operative CRP values among the 3 groups. At 5 days after surgery, the CRP level were 48.59 ± 32.75 for CAS TKA, 69.82 ± 42.76 for early manual TKA, and 67.73 ± 44.00 for skillful manual TKA, indicating a statistically significant lower CRP level in the CAS TKA group compared to the manual TKA groups (P = .01). At 11 days after surgery, there were no statistically significant differences in CRP level among the 3 groups, with was 12.12 ± 9.74 for CAS TKA, 14.07 ± 13.18 for early manual TKA, and 11.43 ± 11.45 for skillful manual TKA. The degree of CRP elevation after TKA is related to bone and medullary injury rather than soft tissue.

PMID:37832115 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035472

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Lower vitamin D levels are associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35505. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035505.

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D plays a role in regulating immune homeostasis, inflammation and has an impact on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD has a multifactorial pathogenesis primarily associated with immune dysregulation, dysbiosis, structurally altered intestinal mucosa, and genetic factors. The immunomodulatory function of this vitamin is linked to its control over innate and adaptive immunity, facilitated through its nuclear vitamin D receptor, leading to the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B. This study aimed to investigate serum vitamin D levels in patients with IBD compared to healthy individuals and to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and inflammatory markers. Cross-sectional study. The study included 106 participants divided into 2 groups: patients with IBD (92), and healthy controls (14). The diagnosis of IBD was based on clinical, laboratory, fecal, endoscopic, and histological findings, following the European guidelines for diagnosis and follow-up ECCO-ESGAR guidelines for diagnostic assessment of IBD from 2019. Serum vitamin D levels were measured along with laboratory tests, imaging, and endoscopic examinations. IBD activity was evaluated using the Montreal classification and clinical and endoscopic indices. Data analysis involved calculating the mean, minimum, and maximum values, standard deviation, and Pearson coefficient. The level of statistical significance for this study was set at P < .05. The study found a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in 32.6% of patients with IBD, while 66.3% had insufficiency, as compared with healthy individuals. The mean levels of vitamin D in UC and CD were 16 ± 8.6 ng/mL, whereas in the control healthy group, they were 26 ± 9.73 ng/mL. A statistically significant reverse correlation was observed between lower vitamin D levels and higher levels of the inflammatory markers. The study concluded that IBD patients exhibit lower levels of vitamin D, which is associated with inflammation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.

PMID:37832114 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035505

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Analysis of HPV prevalence among individuals with reproductive tract infections in a Chinese population

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e34989. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034989.

ABSTRACT

The previous research has found that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main cause of cervical cancer, but it is still unclear whether HPV infection, as well as the HPV genotypes, are related to reproductive tract infections in the Chinese population. Patients who underwent HPV screening at Shandong Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected, and the HPV infection status was analyzed among patients with cervical lesions, bacterial vaginosis, cervical inflammation, fungal vaginitis, and pelvic infections. SPSS 22 statistical analysis was used to analyze the differences in HPV infection types and rates between the control group and the experimental group. The HPV infection rate of bacterial vaginosis (χ2 = 13.4; P < .001) and fungal vaginitis (χ2 = 3.3; P < .045) are both significantly different from the control group. The single HPV infections reveals significant differences from control group in bacterial vaginosis (χ2 = 7.3; P = .004), fungal vaginitis (χ2 = 4.5; P = .023), and cervical lesions (χ2 = 58.8; P < .001). In the bacterial infection group, HPV51 (1.9%; χ2 = 6.0; P = .008) and HPV58 (4.7%; χ2 = 3.3; P = .044) showed significant differences in infection compared to the control group. In the fungal infection group, HPV39 (2.7%; χ2 = 4.7; P = .032) showed a significant difference in infection compared to the control group. Cervical lesions, bacterial vaginosis, fungal vaginitis, and cervical lesions among Chinese population exhibit age-specified distribution. HPV infection rate in bacterial vaginitis, fungal vaginitis and cervical lesions was higher than that in normal group. HPV52 and HPV16 infection are different, and HPV39 is different between bacterial vaginitis and fungal vaginitis.

PMID:37832113 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000034989

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of presbyopic correction lens on humphrey visual field testing in patients with multifocal intraocular lens

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Oct 13;102(41):e35544. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035544.

ABSTRACT

Most previous studies on the effects of multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOL) on Humphrey visual field (HVF) used presbyopic corrective lens (PC). There has been insufficient data from patients with MIOL performing HVF with and without PC. This study aimed to determine the effect of PC on HVF testing in patients with MIOL. This was a prospective, comparative crossover study at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University between June 2015 and July 2018. Early-stage glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous pseudophakic patients with 2 models of MIOL completed HVF testing with and without PC. Mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and reliability indices (fixation losses, false positives, and false negatives) were compared. Ninety-four eyes of 59 patients were enrolled. After excluding patients with confirmed unreliable visual field, 82 eyes of 51 patients (male, 22; female, 29) with a mean age of 65.4 years were included in the study. Forty-nine eyes were non-glaucoma and 33 eyes were early-stage glaucoma. Forty-four eyes received TECNIS ZM900 and 38 eyes received Acrysof IQ ReSTOR SN6AD1. The overall MD standard deviation was -3.5 (2.1) with PC and -3.1 (2.1) without PC (P = .01). The overall PSD standard deviation was 2.8 (1.5) with PC and 2.7 (1.5) without PC (P = .93). The reliability indices were not statistically significantly different with and without PC. There was a good intraclass correlation (ICC) of MD (ICC = 0.87) and PSD (ICC = 0.88) with and without PC. Eyes with TECNIS ZM 900 had significantly better MD when performing HVF without PC (mean difference -0.7, P < .01), but not with Acrysof IQ ReSTOR SN6AD1 (mean difference -0.1, P = .74). Pseudophakic eyes with MIOL may not require PC during HVF testing regardless of the MIOL model. Although eyes with TECNIS ZM900 performed HVF without PC resulted in a significantly better MD value compared with PC, the difference was not clinically significant.

PMID:37832110 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000035544