Efficacy and Safety of Clopidogrel Versus Ticagrelor as Part of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: The efficacy and safety of clopidogrel compared with ticagrelor as part of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients, and in older patients, with acute coronary syndrome is reviewed. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and HTA databases were searched (September 2, 2020) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Pooled risk differences (clopidogrel minus ticagrelor) were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses, and certainty of evidence was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. In all, 29 RCTs were identified. The risk difference for all-cause mortality was 0.6% (-0.03% to 1.3%), cardiovascular (CV) mortality: 0.6% (95% confidence interval: 0.01% to 1.1%), myocardial infarction (MI): 0.9% (0.4% to 1.3%), stent thrombosis: 0.7% (0.4 to 1.1%), clinically significant bleeding: -1.9% (-3.7% to -0.2%), major bleeding: -0.9% (-1.6% to -0.1%), and dyspnea: -5.8% (-7.7% to -3.8%). In older patients, there were no differences between the comparison groups regarding all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and MI, whereas the risk of clinically significant bleeding and major bleeding was lower in the clopidogrel group, -5.9% (-11 to -0.9%, 1 RCT) and -2.4% (-4.4% to -0.3%), respectively. Compared with ticagrelor, clopidogrel may result in little or no difference regarding all-cause mortality. Although not evident in older patients, it cannot be excluded that clopidogrel may be slightly less efficient in reducing the risk of CV mortality and MI, whereas ticagrelor is probably more efficacious in reducing the risk of stent thrombosis. Clopidogrel results in a reduced risk of dyspnea and clinically significant bleeding and in older people probably in a reduced risk of major bleeding.

Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunomodulatory treatment in children with symptoms corresponding to the research condition PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome): A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess effects of treatment against a hypothesized neuroinflammation in children with symptoms corresponding to the research condition Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) which is not included in current diagnostic systems. METHODS: Systematic literature searches were performed (1998 to June 2020) in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and HTA databases. Inclusion criteria: patients (P) were children (<18 years) with PANS; intervention (I)/comparison (C) was use of, versus no use of, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial or immunomodulating treatments; outcomes (O) were health-related quality of life (HRQL), level of functioning, symptom change, and complications. RESULTS: Four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and three non-RCTs, including 23 to 98 patients, fulfilled the PICO. HRQL was not investigated in any study. Regarding level of functioning, two RCTs investigated antibiotics (penicillin V, azithromycin) and one RCT investigated immunomodulating treatments (intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), plasma exchange). Regarding symptoms, two non-RCTs investigated anti-inflammatory treatment (cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, corticosteroids), two RCTs and one non-RCT investigated antibiotics (penicillin V, azithromycin), and two RCTs investigated immunomodulating treatments (IVIG, plasma exchange). Complications, reported in five studies, were consistent with those listed in the summary of products characteristics (SPC). All studies were assessed to have some or major problems regarding directness, the absence of an established diagnosis contributing to clinical diversity in the studied populations. All studies were assessed to have major risk of bias, including selection and detection biases. Due to clinical and methodological diversity, meta-analyses were not performed. CONCLUSION: This systematic review reveals very low certainty of evidence of beneficial effects, and moderate certainty of evidence of adverse effects, of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial or immunomodulating treatments in patients with symptoms corresponding to the research condition PANS. Available evidence neither supports nor excludes potential beneficial effects, but supports that such treatment can result in adverse effects. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42020155714).

Trabecular bone patterns as a fracture risk predictor: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the assessment of trabecular bone patterns in dental radiographs, for fracture risk prediction, compared with the current diagnostic methods. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were followed. According to predefined inclusion criteria (PICO), literature searches were focussed on published studies with analyses of trabecular bone patterns on intraoral and/or in panoramic radiographs, compared with Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and/or Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX), with the outcomes; fracture and/or sensitivity and specificity for osteoporosis prediction. The included studies were quality-assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool and the certainties of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: The literature searches identified 2913 articles, whereas three were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Two longitudinal cohort studies evaluated the use of trabecular bone patterns to predict bone fractures. In one of the studies, the relative risk of fracture was significantly higher for women with sparse bone pattern, identified by visual assessment of dental radiographs, and in the other study by digital software assessment. Visual assessment in the second study did not show significant results. The cross-sectional study of digital analyses of trabecular bone patterns in relation to osteoporosis reported a sensitivity of 0.70 and a specificity of 0.69. CONCLUSION: Based on low certainty of evidence, trabecular bone evaluation on dental radiographs may predict fractures in adults without a prior diagnosis of osteoporosis, and based on very low certainty of evidence, it is uncertain whether digital image analyses of trabecular bone can predict osteoporosis.

Sleep deprivation as treatment for depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review evidence on the efficacy and safety of sleep deprivation (SD) as a treatment option for patients with unipolar or bipolar depression. METHODS: A systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Controlled trials were included in efficacy analysis, case series for evaluating complications and qualitative studies for patients' experiences. RESULTS: Eight controlled studies (368 patients), one qualitative study and seven case series (825 patients) were included. One week after treatment start, SD combined with standard treatment did not reduce depressive symptoms compared with standard treatment (standardized mean difference, SMD = -0.29, [95% confidence interval, CI: -0.84 to 0.25], p = 0.29). When excluding a study in elderly patients in a post hoc analysis, the difference was statistically significant (SMD = -0.54 ([95% CI: -0.86 to -0.22], p < 0.001)) but it diminished two weeks after treatment start. No superiority of SD was found compared with antidepressants, but SD may be superior to exercise in certain settings. It is uncertain whether SD affects quality of sleep, quality of life, everyday functioning or length of stay. Apart from switch to mania (ranging between 2.7% and 10.7%), no other serious complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Sleep deprivation has been studied in a wide range of settings resulting in divergent results for the short-term efficacy on depressive symptoms. Post hoc analyses indicated that there may be a significant but transient effect in certain populations. Further studies should focus on identifying subgroups of responders as well as examining feasibility in routine clinical care.

Electroencephalography-based neurofeedback as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is debilitating for patients and society. There are a number of treatment methods albeit not all patients respond to these and an interesting method using electroencephalography-based neurofeedback (EEG-NF) has become more prominent in recent years. This systematic review aimed to assess whether EEG-NF, compared with sham NF, other treatment, or no treatment, is effective for PTSD. Primary outcomes were self-harm, PTSD symptoms, level of functioning and health-related quality of life. METHODS: Systematic literature searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted in six databases. Random effects meta-analysis was performed. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. RESULTS: Four RCTs were included (123 participants). Suicidal thoughts were significantly reduced after EEG-NF compared with a waiting list in a small study. PTSD symptoms were assessed in all studies with different instruments. Results were consistently in favor of EEG-NF with large effect sizes (standardized mean difference -2.30 (95% confidence interval: -4.37 to -0.24). One study reported significantly improved level of executive functioning and one study a reduction in use of psychotropic medication. Complications were scarcely reported. Certainty of evidence was assessed as very low for the four assessed outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on four RCTs, with several study limitations and imprecision, it is uncertain whether EEG-NF reduces suicidal thoughts, PTSD symptoms, medication use, or improves function. Although all studies showed promising results, further studies are needed to increase the certainty of evidence.

[Users of ultrasound machines are often subjected to musculoskeletal could be preventive measures. Better work organization and equipment could be preventive measures]. / Ultraljudsanvändare ofta drabbade av muskuloskeletala besvär. Bättre arbetsorganisation och utrustning kan vara preventiva åtgärder.

Stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, and eye strain are common among users of ultrasound machines. The purpose of the study was to identify work situations that induce a psychosocial or physical load in work with ultrasound. 12 sonographers participated. Questionnaire and video-based interviewing methods were used. Effects of changes in work organisation and equipment that were introduced after the first study were followed up after 6 months (9 of the participants in the former study). The study confirmed that musculoskeletal symptoms were common. Work situations inducing physical and/or psychosocial loads were identified. Changes of the equipment and work organisation led to positive effects both in terms of the physical and the psychosocial load. Better work organisation and ergonomically designed equipment are measures that can prevent work-related disorders.