ObjectivesTo systematically review the safety and effectiveness of uterine artery embolization (UAE), surgery and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of uterine fibroids.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, WanFang Data and CNKI databases were electronically searched to collect relevant studies on comparing the safety and effectiveness of UAE, surgery and HIFU in the treatment of uterine fibroids from January 2000 to August 2019. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies, network meta-analysis was performed by ADDIS 1.16.8 software and Stata 14.0 software.ResultsA total of 11 trials (22 references) involving 3469 patients were included. Compared with surgery, UAE and HIFU patients had higher quality of life (1-year follow-up) improvement, and UAE was higher than HIFU. Network meta-analysis showed that patients treated with HIFU had the lowest incidence of major complications within 1 year, followed by UAE, and surgery. Patients treated with HIFU and UAE had shorter hospitalization and quicker recovery time than surgery. The rate of further intervention after surgery treatment might be lower than that of UAE and HIFU.ConclusionsUAE has the highest quality of life improvement (1-year follow-up) for uterine fibroids. HIFU and UAE are safer with shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery time compared with surgery. However, both UAE and HIFU have the risk of re-treatment. However, limited by the number and quality of included studies, the above conclusions are needed to be verified by more high-quality studies.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of FDG-PET, Aβ-PET and tau-PET for Alzheimer ’s disease (AD).MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect diagnostic tests of FDG-PET, Aβ-PET and tau-PET for AD from January 2000 to February 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by Meta-Disc 1.4 and Stata 14.0 software.ResultsA total of 31 studies involving 3 718 subjects were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, using normal population as control, the sensitivity/specificity of FDG-PET and Aβ-PET in diagnosing AD were 0.853/0.734 and 0.824/0.771, respectively. Only 2 studies were included for tau-PET and meta-analysis was not performed.ConclusionsFDG-PET and Aβ-PET can provide good diagnostic accuracy for AD, and their diagnostic efficacy is similar. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
Objective To systematically review the relationship between the expression of Survivin mRNA and ovarian cancer. Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2016), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data databases were searched to identify case-control studies concerning the association between the expression of Survivin mRNA and ovarian cancer up to November 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. Results A total of 10 studies were included. The positive of Survivin mRNA in ovarian cancer group was significantly higher than that in control group (OR=24.63, 95% CI 13.44 to 45.15,P<0.000 01). The positive of Survivin in low differentiated group was significantly higher than that in high differentiation group (OR=3.69, 95% CI 2.29 to 5.93,P<0.000 01). The positive of Survivin in clinical stage of Ⅲ-Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in clinical stage of Ⅰ-Ⅱ (OR=4.76, 95% CI 2.99 to 7.57,P<0.000 01), respectively. However, the expression of Survivin mRNA was not associated with lymph node metastasis, ascites and histological type. Conclusion The current evidence indicates that the expression of Survivin mRNA is significantly correlated with ovarian cancer and its clinicopathologic features. Due to the limited quantity and quality of includes studies, the above conclusions are needed to be verified by more high quality studies.
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation of pretreatment systemic immune inflammation index (SII) with prognosis in esophageal cancer patients.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Chinese Biology Medicine, and Wanfang databases to identify eligible studies evaluating the relation between pretreatment SII and prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer from establishment of databases to December 2018. SII was defined as the absolute neutrophil count multiplied by the absolute platelet count divided by the absolute lymphocyte count. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were cancer-specific survival and disease-free survival. The Stata 12.0 software was applied for the meta-analysis, and the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were assessed.ResultsA total of six retrospective studies involving 2 376 esophageal cancer patients were included and all patients were from China or Japan. The results revealed that elevated pretreatment SII was significantly associated with poor OS in esophageal cancer [HR=1.50, 95%CI (1.15, 1.95), P=0.002]. Subgroup analyses of OS indicated that SII had a high prognostic value in patients who received surgery [HR=1.54, 95%CI (1.14, 2.08), P=0.005] and were diagnosed as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [HR=1.50, 95%CI (1.11, 2.02), P=0.007]; however, no significant relation was observed between SII and prognosis in esophageal cancer patients who were treated with radiotherapy [HR=1.318, 95%CI (0.611, 2.841), P=0.482]. Furthermore, compared with neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio, SII showed a higher predictive value for the prognosis of esophageal cancer.ConclusionsPretreatment SII may serve as an independent risk factor for prognosis of Chinese and Japanese esophageal cancer patients, especially patients who were treated with surgery and with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, more prospective studies with big samples from other countries or regions are still needed to verify our findings.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of four antiplatelet regimens after coronary drug-eluting stents by network meta-analysis.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase and Web of Science databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the comparison of different antiplatelet regimens after coronary drug-eluting stenting from inception to December 31st, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed by using Gemtc14.3 software, Stata16.0 software and RevMan5.3 software.ResultsA total of 23 RCTs involving 45 837 patients were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that: in terms of prevention of myocardial infarction (MI) recurrence, the aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was inferior to the triple antiplatelet therapy (OR=2.13, 95%CI 1.08 to 4.03). In terms of reducing the incidence of ischemic compound events, the triple antiplatelet therapy was superior to the standard dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.53, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.72), the aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.49, 95%CI 0.35 to 0.69) and the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.35 to 0.73). There was no statistically significant difference among the four interventions in reducing the rate of in-stent thrombosis and all-cause mortality (P>0.05). In terms of safety, the bleeding rate of aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was lower than that of standard dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.70, 95%CI 0.55 to 0.86) and triple antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.58, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.90), and the bleeding rate of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was also lower than that of standard dual antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.65) and triple antiplatelet therapy (OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.26 to 0.67). The probability ranking diagram showed that: in terms of the recurrence rate of MI, the rate of in-stent thrombosis and the incidence of ischemic compound events, triple antiplatelet therapy was the lowest and aspirin monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was the highest. However, in terms of all-cause mortality and bleeding rate, aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy was the lowest and triple antiplatelet therapy was the highest.ConclusionsThe available evidence suggests that when the risk of ischemia is low, we should choose aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy, and P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy may have a lower risk of ischemia and bleeding. When the risk of ischemia is high and bleeding is low, the triple or standard dual antiplatelet therapy should be selected, and the efficacy of triple antiplatelet therapy is superior, while the safety may be inferior.
ObjectivesTo assess the methodological and reporting quality of surgical meta-analyses published in English in 2014.MethodsAll meta-analyses investigating surgical procedures published in 2014 were selected from PubMed and EMbase. The characteristics of these meta-analyses were collected, and their reporting and methodological quality were assessed by the PRISMA and AMSTAR, respectively. Independent predictive factors associated with these two qualities were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsA total of 197 meta-analyses covering 10 surgical subspecialties were included. The mean PRISMA and AMSTAR score (by items) were 22.2±2.4 and 7.8±1.2, respectively, and a positive linear correlation was found between them with a R2 of 0.754. Those meta-analyses conducted by the first authors who had previously published meta-analysis was significantly higher in reporting and methodological quality than those who had not (P<0.001). Meanwhile, there were also significant differences in these reporting (P<0.001) and methodological (P<0.001) quality between studies published in Q1 ranked journals and (Q2+Q3) ranked jounals. On multivariate analyses, region of origin (non-Asiavs. Asia), publishing experience of first authors (ever vs. never), rank of publishing journals (Q1 vs. Q2+Q3), and preregistration (presence vs. absence) were associated with better reporting and methodologic quality, independently.ConclusionThe reporting and methodological quality of current surgical meta-analyses remained suboptimal, and first authors' experience and ranking of publishing journals were independently associated with both qualities. Preregistration may be an effective measure to improve the quality of meta-analysis, which deserves more attention from future meta-analysis reviewers.
Objective To synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy of using statins in the prevention of recurrent and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods We searched PubMed, EMbase, EMB Reviews-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 3, 2007), CBMdisc, VIP, and CNKI databases from establishment to 15th Sep. 2007 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) covering the use of statins for the patients with persistent AF after electrical cardioversion, paroxysmal and postoperative AF. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 4.3 software after the strict evaluation of the methodological quality of the included RCTs. Results Five RCTs including 470 patients were included. Significant heterogeneity was found when the data were pooled, so a random effect model was used for metaanalysis. Compared with placebo or no use of statins, the statins decreased risk of AF recurrence and postoperative AF (RR=0.61, 95%CI 0.43 to 0.88, P=0.008). Sensitivity analysis showed that the result was stable. The fail-safe number was 52.91. Conclusion The statins may decrease incidence of AF recurrence and postoperative AF. Because of the low quality and the small number of included studies, larger sample-size, randomized, double-blinded controlled trials are needed.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism.MethodsStudies about the efficacy and safety of NOACs versus low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism were collected by searching PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM databases from inception to August, 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 8 studies involving 2 448 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: there was no significant difference in the recurrent VTE rate (OR=0.74, 95%CI 0.49 to 1.11, P=0.15) or bleeding rate (OR=0.80, 95%CI 0.57 to 1.13, P=0.21) between NOACs group and VKAs group. The major bleeding rate was significantly higher in the VKAs group than in the NOACs group (OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.27 to 0.84, P=0.01). The incidences of recurrent VTE (OR=0.84, 95%CI 0.16 to 4.14, P=0.83), bleeding (OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.18 to 1.20, P=0.11), major bleeding (OR=0.45, 95%CI 0.12 to 1.60, P=0.21) were similar between NOACs group and LMWHs group.ConclusionsThe current evidence indicates that for cancer patients with VTE, NOACs are superior to warfarin and comparable to LMWHs. Due to limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the association between bullying and risk of non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents.MethodsPubMed, MEDLINE, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI and WanFang Data were searched from inception to September 1st 2017 to collect studies on the association between bullying and non-suicidal self-injuries. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Then, meta-analysis was performed using CMA 2.2 software.ResultsA total of 23 studies involving 18 819 participates were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that bullying victims reported more NSSI than uninvolved adolescents (OR=2.41, 95%CI 1.96 to 2.96, P<0.001). The bullying perpetrators reported more NSSI than uninvolved adolescents (OR=2.26, 95%CI 1.39 to 3.68,P=0.001). Individuals acting as both victims and perpetrators could also increase risks of NSSI (OR=2.76, 95%CI 1.17 to 6.51, P=0.02). Using meta-regression, it was found that the relation between NSSI and bullying victimization was significantly moderated by age, with studies in which respondents were younger reporting larger effect sizes than studies in which respondents were older (B=–0.33, 95%CI –0.38 –0.28, P<0.001).ConclusionsThe current study demonstrates that involvement in bullying in any capacity is associated with non-suicidal self-injuries. Due to the limitation of research, more studies are required to verify above conclusions.
Objective To explore the incidence of lipohypertrophy in patients with diabetes by meta-analysis, and provide a reference for preventing and reducing its occurrence. Methods A computer search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang Data and Chongqing VIP databases, supplemented by literature retrospective method and manual search. Relevant documents related to lipohypertrophy in diabetic patients were searched until September 2021. After conducting independent literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation, the researchers used RevMan 5.4.1 and R 3.3.1 softwares for meta-analysis. Results Ten articles were included, including 0 in Chinese and 10 in English, and 20277 patients in total. The incidence of lipohypertrophy in patients with diabetes was 53% [95% confidence interval (44%, 62%)]. The heterogeneity among studies was statistically significant (I2=99%, P<0.00001). Meta-regression analysis of single covariates and multiple covariates found that publication year, research scope, research area, sample source, research center, and sample size could explaine 51.6% of the heterogeneity. Conclusion The incidence of lipohypertrophy in patients with diabetes is high, and effective intervention measures are urgently needed to prevent, diagnose and treat the problem of lipohypertrophy in patients with diabetes.
