Aortic Peak Flow Velocity As a Predictor of Fluid Responsiveness in Mechanically Ventilated Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to determine the accuracy of the respiratory variations in aortic peak flow velocity (delta Vpeak) in predicting fluid responsiveness and the moderators of that accuracy. DATA SOURCES: We performed searches for studies that used delta Vpeak as a predictor of fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated children in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL from inception to June 20, 2022. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Fifteen studies ( n = 452) were included in this meta-analysis. The diagnostic test data of the included studies were synthesized as pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and the area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver operating characteristic of delta Vpeak. DATA SYNTHESIS: The delta Vpeak cutoff values applied in these studies had a median of 12.3% (interquartile range, 11.50-13.25%). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of delta Vpeak were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.71-0.87) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.75-0.87), respectively. The DOR of delta Vpeak was 23.41 (95% CI, 11.61-47.20). The AUC of delta Vpeak was 0.87. Subgroup analyses revealed that the accuracy of delta Vpeak was not moderated by ventilator settings, measures of delta Vpeak, gold standard index, the cutoff gold standard value of responders, type and volume of fluid, duration of fluid challenge, use of vasoactive drugs, general anesthesia, and cardiopulmonary bypass. CONCLUSIONS: By using the cutoff of approximately 12.3%, the delta Vpeak appears to have good accuracy in predicting fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated children. The moderators of delta Vpeak predictability are not found.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation for prevention and treatment of perinatal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Available interventions for preventing and treating perinatal depression remain unsatisfactory. AIMS: We examined the prophylactic and therapeutic effects, as well as adverse effects, of n-3 PUFA supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms during perinatal periods. METHODS: We included randomized, placebo-controlled trials that reported the changes of depression severity after the perinatal participants received n-3 PUFA supplementation. After the comprehensive searches in October 2019, we selected the trials, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of included trials. We compared the standardized mean differences (SMD) of depression score changes between groups using a random-effect model. RESULTS: We included 11 trials in the meta-analysis and one more trial for qualitative analysis (N = 3,181). The pooled standardized mean of decreased depression scores revealed no statistically significant difference between the n-3 PUFA and the placebo groups (N = 920, SMDs = -0.05, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.10, I2 = 21%). The pooled SMDs showed no statistically significant efficacy of n-3 PUFA supplementation for prevention (N = 779, SMDs = -0.03, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.13, I2 = 24%) and treatment (N = 141, SMDs = -0.14, 95% CI -0.55 to 0.27, I2 = 31%) of perinatal depression. The efficacy of n-3 PUFA supplementation was not associated with the daily doses of DHA, EPA, or DHA plus EPA. No trial reported any serious adverse effect of n-3 PUFA supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Although n-3 PUFA supplementation may improve maternal and infant outcomes, our meta-analysis found insufficient evidence to determine its benefit for perinatal depression.

Development and implementation of guidelines for the management of depression: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines for the management of depression globally. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of existing guidelines for the management of depression in adults with major depressive or bipolar disorder. For each identified guideline, we assessed compliance with measures of guideline development quality (such as transparency in guideline development processes and funding, multidisciplinary author group composition, systematic review of comparative efficacy research) and implementation (such as quality indicators). We compared guidelines from low- and middle-income countries with those from high-income countries. FINDINGS: We identified 82 national and 13 international clinical practice guidelines from 83 countries in 27 languages. Guideline development processes and funding sources were explicitly specified in a smaller proportion of guidelines from low- and middle-income countries (8/29; 28%) relative to high-income countries (35/58; 60%). Fewer guidelines (2/29; 7%) from low- and middle-income countries, relative to high-income countries (22/58; 38%), were authored by a multidisciplinary development group. A systematic review of comparative effectiveness was conducted in 31% (9/29) of low- and middle-income country guidelines versus 71% (41/58) of high-income country guidelines. Only 10% (3/29) of low- and middle-income country and 19% (11/58) of high-income country guidelines described plans to assess quality indicators or recommendation adherence. CONCLUSION: Globally, guideline implementation is inadequately planned, reported and measured. Narrowing disparities in the development and implementation of guidelines in low- and middle-income countries is a priority. Future guidelines should present strategies to implement recommendations and measure feasibility, cost-effectiveness and impact on health outcomes.

Depression in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Association With Functional Disabilities.

This study examined the prevalence, risk factors, and disability associated with depression. We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study in 217 consecutive kidney transplant (KT) recipients routinely followed-up at a Kidney Transplantation Clinic in Northern Thailand. Participants were assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the 12-item self-report of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale, Version 2.0 (WHODAS). Twenty-eight (12.9%) patients had depression (PHQ-9 score, ≥10). A binary logistic regression analysis found that the CCI score was significantly higher in KT recipients with depression (ß = 0.54, p < 0.01). After the adjustment of education and glomerular filter rates, an ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that the PHQ-9 scores were positively correlated with the WHODAS scores (ß = 0.39, p < 0.01). In KT recipients, physical comorbidity is associated with depression, and depression is correlated with functional disability.

Clinical and socio-demographic correlates of anxious distress in Asian outpatients with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Anxious distress in major depressive disorder (MDD) is common and associated with poor outcomes and management difficulties. AIMS: This post hoc analysis aimed to examine the socio-demographic and clinical correlates of anxiety distress in Asian outpatients with MDD. METHODS: Instead of two out of five specifiers defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Version-5, anxious distress defined in this study was operationalized as the presence of at least two out of four proxy items drawn from the 90-item Symptom Checklist, Revised (SCL-90-R). Other measures included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Sheehan Disability Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. RESULTS: The data of 496 patients with MDD were included. Anxious distress was found in 371 participants (74.8%). The binary logistic regression analysis found that anxious distress was independently and significantly correlated with working status, higher MADRS scores, severe insomnia and functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Three-fourths of Asian patients with MDD in tertiary care settings may have DSM-5 anxious distress of at least moderate distress. Its prevalence may vary among working groups. The specifier was associated with greater depressive symptom severity, severe insomnia and functional impairment.

Correlates of health-related quality of life in Thai patients with alcohol dependence.

This study aimed to examine the correlates of health related quality of life in Thai patients with alcohol dependence. The amount of alcohol intake was calculated by timeline followback chart and the health related quality of life was determined by Short Form-36 Health Survey. The means of the Short Form-36 Physical Component and Mental Component Summary were 67.43 (18.74) and 64.45 (20.90), respectively. Stepwise linear regression models showed the number of heavy drinking days was significantly correlated with the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary. Such moderate correlations suggest that drinking and health related quality of life measures might tap different aspects of alcohol outcomes and should be concurrently administered.

Relaxation for perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Since the time of publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, menopausal symptom management has become more complex because of increased awareness of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Currently, a wide range of management options is available. Some women take prescription drugs, and others use self care strategies, including lifestyle modifications, over-the-counter preparations and complementary and alternative therapies, such as herbal preparations, exercise programmes and relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques consist of a group of behavioural interventions. They are considered relatively harmless, but their effectiveness in treating vasomotor symptoms and sleep disturbances remains debatable.  OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of relaxation techniques as treatment for vasomotor symptoms and associated sleep disturbances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. SEARCH METHODS: Searches of the following electronic bibliographic databases were performed in February 2014 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs): the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Specialised Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO, Social Science Citation Index and CINAHL. Handsearches of trial registers, relevant journals and published conference abstracts were also performed. SELECTION CRITERIA: RCTs were included if they compared any type of relaxation intervention with no treatment or other treatments (except hormones) for vasomotor symptoms in symptomatic perimenopausal/postmenopausal women. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors selected studies, assessed quality and extracted data. Included studies were combined, if appropriate, by using a random-effects model to calculate pooled mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. MAIN RESULTS: Four studies were eligible for inclusion (281 participants): Two studies compared relaxation with electroacupuncture or superficial needling, one study compared relaxation with paced respiration or placebo control (α-wave electroencephalographic biofeedback) and one study compared relaxation with no treatment.No evidence was found of a difference between relaxation and acupuncture or superficial needle insertion in the number of hot flushes per 24 hours (mean difference (MD) 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.33 to 1.43, two studies, 72 participants, I(2) = 0%; very low-quality evidence). Nor did any evidence suggest a difference between the two interventions in hot flush severity, measured using the Kupperman Index (MD -1.32, 95% CI -5.06 to 2.43, two studies, 72 participants, I(2) = 0%; very low-quality evidence).The other two studies found no clear evidence of a difference in hot flush frequency between relaxation and paced respiration, placebo or no treatment. The data for these comparisons were unsuitable for analysis.None of these studies reported night sweats, sleep disturbances associated with night sweats or adverse effects as an outcome.The main limitations of identified evidence were lack of data, imprecision and failure to report study methods in adequate detail. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is insufficient to show the effectiveness of relaxation techniques as treatment for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, or to determine whether this treatment is more effective than no treatment, placebo, acupuncture, superficial needle insertion or paced respiration.

Differences in psychiatric symptoms among Asian patients with depression: a multi-country cross-sectional study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the symptomatic and clinical features of depression among five groups of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) living in China, Korea, Malaysia/Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. METHODS: Consecutive consenting adults (aged 18-65) who met DSM-IV criteria for non-psychotic MDD ­ based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview ­ and who were free of psychotropic medication were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 10-item Montgomery­Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the 13-item depression subscale of the Symptoms Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). In addition, the 10-item SCL-90-R Anxiety Subscale was completed. ancova were conducted, adjusting for confounders: age, completion of secondary education, marital status, work status, religion, index episode duration, and depressive severity. For the magnitude of differences, a threshold of 0.10 was taken as the minimum effect size representing clinical significance, and an effect size of 0.25 was considered moderate. RESULTS: Four MADRS symptoms differentiated these five groups, the most prominent being 'lassitude' and 'inner tension'. Nine SCL-90-R depression items also differentiated the groups, as did eight SCL-90-R Anxiety Subscale items. The MADRS lassitude item had the largest effect size (0.131). The rest of those statistically significant differences did not exceed 0.10. CONCLUSION: MDD is more similar than different among outpatients in these diverse Asian countries. The between-country differences, while present and not due to chance, are small enough to enable the use of common clinician and self-report rating scales in studies involving Asians with MDD from various ethnic backgrounds.

Second-generation antipsychotics for Parkinson's disease psychosis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This network meta-analysis assessed the efficacy, tolerability, and acceptability of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized controlled trials investigating SGAs for PDP up to October 26, 2023. RESULTS: We included 16 trials (N = 1252) investigating clozapine, melperone, olanzapine, pimavanserin, quetiapine, ulotaront, and placebo. In comparisons between SGAs and placebo, the findings were: i) Standardized mean differences, 95% confidence intervals (SMDs, 95%CIs), for psychotic-symptom reduction revealed the first rank of clozapine (-1.31, -1.73 to -0.89), the second rank of pimavanserin, with significant inferiority of quetiapine (SMD = 0.47, 0.02 to 0.92); ii) Mean differences (MDs, 95%CIs) for abnormal movement, as assessed by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - Part III, indicated that clozapine had the least motor side effects (-0.92, -2.75 to 0.91); iii) Risk ratios (RRs, 95% CIs) for adverse-effect dropout rates were lowest for melperone (1.02, 0.20 to 5.24); and iv) RRs (95% CIs) for all-cause dropout rates were lowest for clozapine (0.73, 0.42 to 1.25). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with PDP, clozapine may substantially reduce psychotic symptoms with minimal abnormal movement, high acceptability, and moderate overall tolerability. Pimavanserin, not quetiapine, could be an alternative.

Efficacy and acceptability of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) for depressed patients: A systematic review and meta- analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and acceptability of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) in treating depression. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinialTrials.gov from inception to July 3, 2023, identifying randomized controlled trials comparing SAMe with placebo or antidepressants (ADs). We synthesized data on reduced depressive symptoms (efficacy) and overall dropout rates (acceptability) using a random-effects model for pairwise frequentist meta-analysis. Our analysis included 23 trials (N = 2183) classified into three categories: 11 trials comparing SAMe and placebo, 5 trials comparing SAMe plus ADs and placebo plus ADs, and 7 trials comparing SAMe and ADs. Differences between experimental and control interventions in reducing depressive symptoms were observed: i) SAMe demonstrated significantly superior efficacy compared to placebo (SMD = -0.58, 95% CI = -0.93 to -0.23, I2 = 68%); ii) in conjunction with ADs, SAMe did not show a significant difference from placebo (SMD = -0.22, 95%CI = -0.63 to 0.19, I2 = 76%); and iii) SAMe did not exhibit a significant difference from ADs alone (SMD = 0.06, 95%CI = -0.06 to 0.18, I2 = 49%). No significant differences in dropout rates were observed across the three comparison categories. Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that SAMe monotherapy may offer a moderate therapeutic benefit in alleviating depressive symptoms. Considering its favorable acceptability profile, SAMe monotherapy should be considered as a treatment option for patients with depression. However, uncertainties regarding its efficacy as an adjunct to AD and its comparative efficacy with ADs remain unresolved.

Quetiapine versus typical antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Quetiapine is a widely used atypical antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia that has been on the market for over a decade. However, It is not clear how the effects of quetiapine differ from typical antipsychotics. OBJECTIVES: To review the effects of quetiapine in comparison with typical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like psychosis. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Trials Register (March 2010), and inspected references of all identified studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomised control trials comparing oral quetiapine with typical antipsychotic drugs in people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like psychosis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data independently. For dichotomous data, we calculated risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. We presented chosen outcomes in a 'Summary of findings' table and comparative risks where appropriate. For continuous data, we calculated mean differences (MD) based on a random-effects model. We assessed risk of bias for included studies. MAIN RESULTS: The review includes 43 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with 7217 participants. Most studies were from China. The percentages of participants leaving the studies early were similar (36.5% in quetiapine group and 36.9% in typical antipsychotics group) and no significant difference between groups was apparent for leaving early due to any reason (23 RCTs n = 3576 RR 0.91 CI 0.81 to 1.01, moderate quality evidence), however, fewer participants in the quetiapine group left the studies early due to adverse events (15 RCTs, n = 3010, RR 0.48 CI 0.30 to 0.77).Overall global state was similar between groups (no clinically significant response; 16 RCTs, n = 1607, RR 0.96 CI 0.75 to 1.23, moderate quality evidence) and there was no significant difference in positive symptoms (PANSS positive subscore: 22 RCTs, n = 1934, MD 0.02 CI -0.39 to 0.43, moderate quality evidence). General psychopathology was equivocal (PANSS general psychopathology subscore: 18 RCTs, n = 1569, MD -0.20 CI -0.83 to 0.42) between those allocated to quetiapine and typical antipsychotics. However, quetiapine was statistically significantly more efficacious for negative symptoms (PANSS negative subscore: 22 RCTs, n = 1934, MD -0.82 CI -1.59 to -0.04, moderate quality evidence), however, this result was highly heterogeneous and driven by two small outlier studies with high effect sizes. Without these two studies, there was no heterogeneity and no statistically significant difference between quetiapine and typical antipsychotics.Compared with typical antipsychotics, quetiapine might cause fewer adverse effects (9 RCTs, n = 1985, RR 0.76 CI 0.64 to 0.90 number needed to treat to induce harm (NNTH) 10, CI 8 to 17), less abnormal ECG (2 RCTs, n = 165, RR 0.38 CI 0.16 to 0.92, NNTH 8, CI 4 to 55), fewer overall extrapyramidal effects (8 RCTs, n = 1,095, RR 0.17 CI 0.09 to 0.32, NNTH 3, CI 3 to 3, moderate quality evidence) and fewer specific extrapyramidal effects including akathisia, parkinsonism, dystonia and tremor. Moreover, it might cause lower prolactin level (4 RCTs, n = 1034, MD -16.20 CI -23.34 to -9.07, moderate quality evidence) and less weight gain compared with some typical antipsychotics in the short term (9 RCTs, n = 866, RR 0.52 CI 0.34 to 0.80, NNTH 8, CI 6 to 15).However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in suicide attempt, suicide, death, QTc prolongation, low blood pressure, tachycardia, sedation, gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea, menstrual irregularity and white blood cell count. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Quetiapine may not differ from typical antipsychotics in the treatment of positive symptoms and general psychopathology. There are no clear differences in terms of the treatment of negative symptoms. However, it causes fewer adverse effects in terms of abnormal ECG, extrapyramidal effects, abnormal prolactin levels and weight gain.

Convergent Validity of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in Pregnant and Postpartum Women: Their Construct Correlations with Functional Disability.

This study aimed to evaluate the convergent validity of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in Thai pregnant and postpartum women, using the 12-item WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) as the reference standard. Participants completed the EPDS, PHQ-9, and WHODAS during the third trimester of pregnancy (over 28 weeks in gestational age) and six weeks postpartum. The sample included 186 and 136 participants for the antenatal and postpartum data analyses, respectively. The antenatal and postpartum data showed moderate correlations between both the EPDS and the PHQ-9 scores and the WHODAS scores (Spearman's correlation coefficients = 0.53-0.66, p < 0.001). The EPDS and PHQ-9 were moderately accurate in distinguishing disability (WHODAS score ≥ 10) from non-disability (WHODAS score < 10) in pregnant and postpartum participants, but the area under the curve of the PHQ-9 receiver operating characteristic curves in postpartum participants was significantly larger than that of the EPDS, with a difference (95% CI; p-value) of 0.08 (0.16, 0.01; p = 0.044). In conclusion, the EPDS and PHQ-9 are valid for assessing PND-related disability in pregnant and postpartum women. The PHQ-9 may perform better than the EPDS in distinguishing disability from non-disability in postpartum women.

Efficacy and acceptability of vitamin D supplements for depressed patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized the evidence from randomized controlled trials comparing vitamin D and placebo in reducing depressive symptoms and contributing to all-cause dropout rates. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials comparing reduced depression between depressed patients receiving vitamin D and those receiving placebo. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through January 2022. RESULTS: Eighteen trials (1980 participants, median age 39 y) were included in the meta-analysis. Vitamin D supplements were significantly superior to placebo in reducing depression (standardized mean difference = -0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.75 to -0.23; I2 = 81%). Depressed adults (standardized mean difference = -0.70; 95% CI, -1.09 to -0.31) responded to vitamin D significantly better than children and adolescents (standardized mean difference = 0.10; 95% CI -0.27 to 0.47). Vitamin D administered as bolus doses (oral intermittent high doses or intramuscular single high dose) appeared to be more effective than that taken daily by the oral route (P < 0.01). Patients with more severe depression tended to respond better than those with less severity (P = 0.053). We found no moderating effect of concurrent antidepressant use, presence of major depressive disorder diagnosis, physical comorbidity, sex, duration and doses of vitamin D supplement, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at baseline, and changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the vitamin D group. Dropout rates were indifferent between the groups (17 trials; risk ratio = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.6-1.16; I2 = 0). CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneous data suggested that vitamin D supplements are effective and safe for depressed patients.

Serum oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone levels in the third trimester of pregnancy for predicting postpartum depression in Thai women.

PURPOSE: This prospective observational study aimed to determine whether serum oxytocin (OT) or corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels in the third trimester of pregnancy (or late pregnancy) could prospectively predict postpartum depression (PPD) at six weeks after childbirth. METHODS: We measured late pregnancy OT and CRH levels in Thai women, assessed depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and collected mothers, labor, and newborn data. At six weeks postpartum, an EPDS score ≥ 11 or PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 was defined as the presence of PPD. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of PPD. RESULTS: Of 200 participants, 136 (68.0%) were reassessed at six weeks postpartum, and 19 of them (14.0%) had PPD. Of the 19 participants with PPD, 9 met the EPDS criterion only, 3 met the PHQ-9 criterion only, and 7 met both criteria. OT levels were not significantly different between those with and without PPD (p = 0.35). CRH levels (aOR = 1.011, 95% CI = 1.001-1.023, p = 0.041), DASS-21 stress (aOR = 1.259, 95% CI = 1.132-1.400, p < 0.001), and APGAR at 1 min (aOR = 0.425, 95% CI = 0.240-0.752, p = 0.003) were significant predictors of PPD. CONCLUSIONS: Only high CRH but not OT levels in late pregnancy may predict 6-week PPD. However, combining these CRH levels, late pregnancy stress, and newborn well-being immediately after birth seems to increase the accuracy of PPD prediction.

Quetiapine monotherapy in acute phase for major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia and bipolar depression trials suggest that quetiapine may have an antidepressant effect. OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy, acceptability and tolerability of quetiapine treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Only the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparison between quetiapine and placebo were included. The authors searched such clinical trials carried out between 1991 and February 2012. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched in February 2012. Study populations comprised adults with MDD or major depression. STUDY ELIGIBLE CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Eligible studies were randomized, placebo-controlled trials of quetiapine monotherapy carried out in adults with MDD and presenting endpoint outcomes relevant to: i) depression severity, ii) response rate, iii) overall discontinuation rate, or iv) discontinuation rate due to adverse events. No language restriction was applied. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: All abstracts identified by the electronic searches were examined. The full reports of relevant studies were assessed, and the data of interest were extracted. Based on the Cochrane methods of bias assessment, risks of bias were determined. The studies with two risks or less were included. The efficacy outcomes were the mean change scores of depression rating scales, the overall response rate, and the overall remission rates. The overall discontinuation rate was considered as a measure of acceptability. The discontinuation rate due to adverse events was a measure of tolerability. Relative risks (RRs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by using a random effect model. RESULTS: A total of 1,497 participants in three RCTs were included. All trials examined the quetiapine extended-release (XR). The pooled mean change scores of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) of the quetiapine-treated group were higher than those of the placebo-treated group with the WMDs (95%CI) of -3.37 (-3.95, -2.79) and -2.46 (-3.47, -1.45), respectively. All studies defined the response and remission as ≥ 50% reduction of the MADRS total score and the MADRS total score of ≤8 at endpoint, respectively. The overall response and remission rates were significantly greater in the quetiapine-treated group with RRs (95%CIs) of 1.44 (1.26, 1.64) and 1.37 (1.12, 1.68), respectively. The pooled discontinuation rate was not significantly different between groups with an RR (95%CI) of 1.16 (0.97, 1.39). The pooled discontinuation rate due to adverse event was greater in the quetiapine group with an RR (95%CI) of 2.90 (1.87, 4.48). With respect to sleep time, the pooled mean change Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores of the quetiapine-treated group was also significantly higher than that of the placebo-treated group [WMD (95%CI) of -1.21 (-1.81, -0.61)]. LIMITATIONS: Variety of quetiapine XR doses and the small number of RCTs were key limitations of this meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited evidence obtained from three RCTs, quetiapine XR is effective for adult patients with MDD. The high dropout rate due to adverse events suggests that some MDD patients may not be able to tolerate quetiapine XR. Due to the balance of its efficacy benefit and risk of side effects, as the overall discontinuation rate shown, the acceptability of this agent is not more than placebo. These results should be viewed as the very preliminary one. Further studies in this area are warranted. IMPLICATION OF KEY FINDINGS: Quetiapine may be an alternative antidepressant. However, both risk and benefit of this agent should be taken into account for an individual patient with MDD.

Cognitive changes in topiramate-treated patients with alcoholism: a 12-week prospective study in patients recently detoxified.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the 12-week cognitive changes in topiramate-treated patients recently detoxified from alcohol. METHODS: Participants were inpatients with DSM-IV alcohol dependence. All of them were discharged within 14 days after the initiation of topiramate treatment. The topiramate dose range was 50-300 mg/day. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used on day 0, day 29, day 57, and day 85. Differences of the MoCA total and seven subtest scores among four time-points were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-eight participants (36 men and two women) had a mean ± SD age of 43.1 ± 8.6 years old. At enrollment, they were abstinent for a mean ± SD of 11.5 ± 5.3 days. Five, one, and three patients dropped out of the study on day 29, day 57, and day 85, respectively. On day 85, the mean ± SD dose of topiramate was 253.1 ± 60.8 mg/day. Alcohol consumption decreased drastically during follow up. At each time-point, 75%-80% of the participants were continuous abstainers. The mean ± SD MoCA total, language subtest, and delayed recall subtest scores increased significantly from day 0 to day 85, from 22.0 ± 4.7 to 24.7 ± 3.4 (P < 0.01), from 1.1 ± 1.0 to 1.3 ± 1.0 (P = 0.03), and from 2.7 ± 1.7 to 4.1 ± 1.0 (P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Topiramate-treated patients recently detoxified from alcohol usually have an improvement of their cognitive function, especially in the language and delayed recall domains. This phenomenon may be caused by the greater influence of cognitive recovery associated with decreased drinking as compared with topiramate-induced cognitive impairment.

Bidirectional prediction between weight status and executive function in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

This study examined the predictability of child weight status on executive function (EF) and vice versa. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE for longitudinal studies conducted in children and adolescents on October 31, 2021. A pairwise meta-analysis was performed using a frequentist random-effects approach. The quality of all included studies was evaluated using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and GRADE assessments. This study included 18 longitudinal studies (N = 30,101). Overall executive functioning was a significant negative predictor of child weight status (pooled beta coefficient = -0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.22 to -0.07]; I2 = 97%). The pooled odds ratio also revealed that high EF children had a significant lower risk for developing overweight/obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% CI [0.59 to 0.87]; I2 = 72%). Conversely, child weight status was a significant negative predictor of overall executive functioning (pooled beta coefficient = -0.06; 95% CI [-0.12 to -0.01]; I2 = 81%). These results suggest a bidirectional prediction between child weight status and EF. These predictabilities are low but potentially beneficial for implementation in childcare systems.

The Effects of Neurofeedback on Executive Functioning in Children With ADHD: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Possible beneficial effects of neurofeedback in improving ADHD functional outcomes have been increasingly reported. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between neurofeedback and executive functioning in children with ADHD. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify studies reporting the effects of neurofeedback on executive functioning, including response inhibition, sustained attention, and working memory, assessed by neuropsychological tests. Only randomized controlled studies of children aged 5 to 18 years were included using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Ten studies were included. The effects of neurofeedback were not found on three domains of executive functions. A meta-regression analysis revealed a trend of numbers of neurofeedback sessions positively associated with response inhibition (p = .06). CONCLUSION: Results did not show the benefits of neurofeedback on executive functions assessed by neuropsychological tests. Future studies should focus on standard neurofeedback protocols, the intensity of intervention, and neuropsychological outcomes.

Antidepressants for depressed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of short-term randomized controlled trials.

This network meta-analysis compared the short-term treatment effects of different antidepressants on depression severity and HbA1c in depressed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We searched 8- to 24-week randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov on November 22, 2021. We included 12 RCTs (N = 792) studying agomelatine, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, nortriptyline, no treatment, paroxetine, sertraline, vortioxetine, and placebo. Compared to placebo, the standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (SMD, 95%CIs) for depression severity reduction revealed that escitalopram ranked first (-2.93, -3.92 to -1.94), followed by agomelatine (-0.68, -1.15 to -0.20). Compared to placebo, the mean differences (MDs, 95%CIs) for HbA1c reduction suggested that vortioxetine ranked first (-2.35, -4.13 to -0.57), followed by escitalopram (-1.00, -1.42 to -0.57) and agomelatine (-0.79, -1.16 to -0.42). Limited evidence from short-term trials in depressed patients with T2DM suggests that escitalopram and agomelatine may have a favorable profile in reducing depression and controlling glycemic goals, but more trials are required.

Melatonin Receptor Agonists for the Prevention of Delirium: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Although a previous review illustrated the efficacy of melatonin receptor agonists (MRAs) in preventing delirium, some recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) did not confirm these effects. OBJECTIVES: This study systematically reviewed the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of MRAs for delirium prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and Controlled Trials Register, from their inception to February 20, 2022. The primary efficacy outcome was delirium incidence rate after MRA administration; relative risks (RRs), overall discontinuation, and discontinuation due to adverse events are also presented. RESULTS: The overall pooled incidence rates of delirium in MRA-treated and placebo-treated groups were significantly different with RR (95% CI)=0.66(0.52, 0.84, ), I2=59%. Similarly, the incidence rate was significantly lower in the melatonin-treated group than in the placebo-treated group [RR (95% CI) =0.65 (0.49, 0.88), I2=65%]. Unfortunately, incidence rates were not significantly different between ramelteon-treated and placebo-treated groups [RR (95% CI) =0.67 (0.42, 1.08), I2=50%]. The pooled incidence rate of delirium in either melatonin or ramelteon-treated groups was not significantly different from the placebo-treated group in elderly patients. The pooled incidence rate of delirium was significantly lower in the melatonin-treated group than in the benzodiazepinetreated group. CONCLUSION: Based on this review, melatonin could prevent delirium with a small effect size. However, ramelteon did not show efficacy in preventing delirium. Additionally, neither melatonin nor ramelteon individually showed effectiveness in preventing delirium in elderly patients. Therefore, using MRAs to prevent delirium in clinical practice should be cautious. However, future welldefined and large sample size studies could verify these findings.