Statins and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A meta-analysis.

Background/Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Recent epidemiologic studies have suggested that use of statins may lower the risk of GERD although the results from different studies were inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted with the aim to summarize all available data. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE database from inception to December 2017. Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that compared the risk of GERD among statin users versus nonusers were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results: A total of 4 studies (1 case control, 1 cohort, and 2 cross-sectional studies) with 14,505 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of GERD among statin users was numerically lower than nonusers with the pooled OR of 0.89 but the result did not achieve statistical significance (95% CI, 0.60-1.33). The statistical heterogeneity in this study was moderate (I2 = 54%). Conclusions: The current meta-analysis found that the risk of GERD was numerically lower among statin users although the pooled result did not reach statistical significance. Therefore, more studies are still needed to further clarify this potential benefit of statins.

Patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background and Objectives: Patients with psoriasis are known to be at a higher risk of several comorbidities, but little is known about their risk of developing schizophrenia. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies that reported relative risk, hazard ratio, odds ratio (OR), or standardized incidence ratio comparing risk of schizophrenia in patients with psoriasis versus subjects without psoriasis was conducted. Pooled OR and 95% confidence interval were calculated using random-effect, generic inverse-variance methods of DerSimonian and Laird. Results: A total of five studies (one retrospective cohort study and four case-control studies) with more than 6 million participants met the eligibility criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled OR of schizophrenia in patients with psoriasis versus subjects without psoriasis was 1.41 (95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.66). The statistical heterogeneity was low with an I2 of 33%. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia among patients with psoriasis.

Effects of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the risk of cholangiocarcinoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can suppress the proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells in vitro through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2. However, the effects of aspirin and NSAIDs on the risk of CCA remain unclear. We performed this meta-analysis to assess the risk of biliary tract cancers in patients who take aspirin and/or NSAIDs. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases from inception through October 2017 to identify studies that assessed the association of aspirin and/or NSAIDs use with risk of biliary tract cancers including CCA, gallbladder cancer and ampulla of Vater cancer. Effect estimates from the studies were extracted and combined using the random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Five observational studies with a total of 9 200 653 patients were enrolled. The pooled OR of CCA in patients with aspirin use was 0.56 (95% CI, 0.32-0.96). Egger's regression asymmetry test was performed and showed no publication bias for the association between aspirin use and CCA with P = 0.42. There was no significant association between NSAIDs use and CCA, with a pooled OR of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.28-2.21). One study showed a significant association between aspirin use and reduced risk of gallbladder cancer with OR of 0.37 (0.17-0.80). However, there was no significant association between aspirin and ampulla of Vater cancer with OR of 0.22 (0.03-1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a significant association between aspirin use and a 0.56-fold decreased risk of CCA. However, there is no association between the use of NSAIDs and CCA.

Peripheral arterial disease and risk of hip fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Background: Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of hip fracture among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), however, the results have been inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted with the aim to summarize all available evidence to better characterize the risk of incident hip fracture among these patients. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through October 2017 to identify all cohort and case-control studies that compared the risk of subsequent hip fracture between patients with PAD and individuals without PAD. Effect estimates of the included studies were extracted and combined using the random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Results: The systematic review process yielded six eligible cohort studies comprising 15,895 patients with PAD. There was a significant association between incident hip fracture and PAD with the pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.64 (95% CI, 1.17-2.29; I2, 80%), comparing patients with PAD and individuals without PAD. Subgroup analysis by study design revealed significant results for both prospective studies (pooled RR 1.60; 95% CI, 1.12-2.28; I2, 0%) and retrospective studies (pooled RR 1.72; 95% CI, 1.07-2.77; I2, 92%). The funnel plot is relatively asymmetric suggesting publication bias. Conclusion: This study found a significant association between PAD and hip fracture with the pooled RR of 1.64 (95% CI, 1.17-2.29) on comparing patients with PAD and individuals without PAD. Major limitations include high between-study heterogeneity, possibility of publication bias, and lack of data on the characteristics and type of hip fracture which may limit the clinical significance of the observations.

Hypocalcemia and bone mineral density changes following denosumab treatment in end-stage renal disease patients: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

The incidence of hypocalcemia and bone mineral density (BMD) changes in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on denosumab remains unclear. We performed this meta-analysis to assess the incidence of denosumab-associated hypocalcemia and effects of denosumab on BMD in ESRD patients. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database from inception through November 2017 to identify studies evaluating incidence of denosumab-associated hypocalcemia and changes in serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and BMD from baseline to post-treatment course of denosumab in ESRD patients. Study results were pooled and analyzed using a random-effect model. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42017081074). Six observational studies with a total of 84 ESRD patients were enrolled. The pooled estimated incidence of hypocalcemia during denosumab treatment was 42% (95% CI 29-55%, I2 = 0%). Hypocalcemia occurred approximately 7 to 20 days after the first dose and reached nadir of low calcium levels in the first 2 weeks up to 2 months. However, there were no significant changes in serum calcium or phosphate from baseline to post-treatment course (≥ 3 months after treatment) with mean differences [MDs] of 0.20 mg/dL (95% CI, - 0.30 to 0.69 mg/dL) and - 0.10 mg/dL (95% CI, - 0.70 to 0.49 mg/dL). There were significant reductions in ALP and PTH levels with standardized mean differences (SMDs) of - 0.65 (95% CI - 1.13 to - 0.16) and - 1.89 (95% CI - 3.44 to - 0.34), respectively. There were significant increases in T-scores with MDs of 0.39 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.69) and 0.79 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.98) for lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively. Our study demonstrates the estimated incidence of denosumab-associated hypocalcemia in dialysis patients of 42%. From baseline to post-treatment course, although there are no differences in serum calcium and phosphate, our findings suggest significant reductions in ALP and PTH and a significant increase in BMD. Currently, denosumab should not be considered as the treatment of choice in ESRD patients until more safety and efficacy data are available.

Smoking and risk of colonic diverticulosis: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The possible relationship between smoking and risk of colonic diverticulosis has been suggested by recent epidemiological studies, although the results were inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted to summarize all available data. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through May 2017 to identify all studies that compared the risk of colonic diverticulosis among current and former smokers versus nonsmokers. Effect estimates from each study were extracted and combined together using the random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Of 465 potentially eligible articles, three prospective cohort studies with 130,520 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of colonic diverticulosis in current smokers was significantly higher than nonsmokers with the pooled risks ratio of 1.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.89). However, the risk of colonic diverticulosis in former smokers was not significantly higher than nonsmokers with the pooled risk ratio of 1.13 (95% CI, 0.88-1.44). CONCLUSIONS: A significantly increased risk of colonic diverticulosis among current smokers is demonstrated in this study.

Insomnia and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This sudy aims to investigate the association between insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: We searched published studies indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE database from inception to December 2015. Studies that reported odds ratios (ORs), risk ratios, hazard ratios or standardized incidence ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing the risk of NAFLD among participants who had insomnia or EDS versus those without insomnia or EDS were included. Pooled ORs and 95% CI were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic were used to determine the between-study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Our search strategy yielded 2117 potentially relevant articles (781 articles from MEDLINE and 1336 articles from EMBASE). After comprehensive review, seven studies (three cross-sectional studies and four case-control studies) were found to be eligible and were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of NAFLD in participants who had insomnia was significantly higher with the pooled OR of 1.13 (95% CI, 1.00-1.27). The statistical heterogeneity was moderate with an I2 of 62%. Elevated risk of NAFLD was also observed among participants with EDS even though the 95% CI was wider and did not reach statistical significance (pooled OR 2.21; 95% CI, 0.84-5.82). The statistical heterogeneity was moderate with an I2 of 62%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated an increased risk of NAFLD among participants who had insomnia or EDS. Whether this association is causal needs further investigations.

Periodontitis and risk of psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between periodontitis and systemic diseases has been increasingly recognized. However, the data on the association between periodontitis and psoriasis are still limited. OBJECTIVES: To summarize all available data on the association between periodontitis and the risk of psoriasis. METHODS: Two investigators independently searched published studies indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to July 2016 using a search strategy that included terms for psoriasis and periodontitis. Studies were included if the following criteria were met: (i) case-control or cohort study comparing the risk of psoriasis in subjects with and without periodontitis; (ii) subjects without periodontitis were used as comparators in cohort studies while participants without psoriasis were used as controls in case-control studies; and (iii) effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were provided. Point estimates and standard errors from each study were extracted and combined together using the generic inverse variance technique described by DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Two cohort studies and three case-control studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled risk ratio of psoriasis in patients with periodontitis versus comparators was 1.55 (95% CI, 1.35-1.77). The statistical heterogeneity was insignificant with an I2 of 18%. Subgroup analysis according to study design revealed a significantly higher risk among patients with periodontitis with a pooled RR of 1.50 (95% CI, 1.37-1.64) for cohort studies and a pooled RR of 2.33 (95% CI, 1.51-3.60) for case-control studies. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with periodontitis have a significantly elevated risk of psoriasis.

Associations of sugar- and artificially sweetened soda with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the major concern of public health worldwide. The risk of NAFLD in subjects who regularly drink soda is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the association between consumption of sugar-sweetened soda and NAFLD. METHODS: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception through June 2015. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of NAFLD in patients consuming a significant amount of either sugar or artificially sweetened soda vs. those who did not consume soda were included. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. RESULTS: Seven observational studies were included in our analysis to assess the association between consumption of sugar-sweetened soda and NAFLD. The pooled RR of NAFLD in patients consuming sugar-sweetened soda was 1.53 (95% CI: 1.34-1.75, I(2) = 0). When meta-analysis was limited only to studies with adjusted analysis, the pooled RR of NAFLD was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.36-1.78, I(2) = 0). The data on association between consumption of artificially sweetened soda and NAFLD were limited; one observational study reported no significant increased risk of NAFLD in artificially sweetened soda consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates statistically significant association between sugar-sweetened soda consumption and NAFLD. This finding may impact clinical management and primary prevention of NAFLD.