Anti-VEGF Injections vs. Panretinal Photocoagulation Laser Therapy for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

TOPIC: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGF and panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The outcomes examined are changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), neovascularization (NV), central macular thickness (CMT), and adverse outcomes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults globally. At present, no consensus has been reached on the optimal choice for the treatment of PDR. METHODS: Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CiNAHL were searched for articles from their inception to June 2023 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis. The review was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42023437778). Tool data analysis was performed using RevMan software version 5.4 (Review Manager [RevMan] [computer program], The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020). Randomized control trials (RCTs) of PDR patients treated with anti-VEGF, PRP, or a combination were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Rob2 assessment tool (revised tool for risk of bias in randomized trials), and certainty of evidence was assessed with the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included, with 1361 patients (n = 1788 eyes) treated for PDR with either anti-VEGF (n = 274), PRP (n = 482), or combination (n = 320). Our results show more favorable BCVA outcomes with anti-VEGF compared with PRP at 3 months (mean difference [MD] = 2.35 letters; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-3.52; I2 = 0%) and 12 months follow-up (MD = 3.39 letters; 95% CI, 0.63-6.14; I2 = 26%). Combination treatment showed better BCVA outcomes compared with PRP at 12 months (MD = 4.06 letters; 95% CI, 0.26-7.86; I2 = 0%). Combination showed lower CMT at 3 months (MD = -33.10 µm; 95% CI, -40.12 to -26.08; I2 = 25%) and 6 months (MD = -34.28 µm; 95% CI, -55.59 to -12.97; I2 = 85%) compared with PRP, but CMT results were similar at 12 months. Complete regression of total NV (NVT) was more likely with anti-VEGF compared with PRP (odds ratio = 6.15; 95% CI, 1.39-27.15; I2 = 80%). Posttreatment vitreous hemorrhage, vitrectomy, and increased intraocular pressure events were similar between the anti-VEGF and combination groups compared with PRP; however, macular edema results favored the anti-VEGF over the PRP group. Using the GRADE assessment, BCVA evidence was rated to be of moderate certainty, whereas CMT and NVT evidence certainty was rated as very low. CONCLUSION: Anti-VEGF and combination treatments could be regarded as alternative approaches to PRP alone in the management of PDR after engaging in a shared decision-making process based on patients' adherence, diabetic macular edema status, and preference. Limitations of this meta-analysis include the heterogeneity in participants' characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcome reporting between studies. Further RCTs should be conducted to compare the effectiveness of these treatments in the long term. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Single vs Bilateral Lung Transplant in the Management of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation is recommended for select patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, a consensus has not been reached regarding the optimal choice of lung transplantation: single lung transplants (SLTs) vs bilateral lung transplants (BLTs). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SLT compared with BLT in managing end-stage COPD. METHODS: Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for articles by 2 independent reviewers using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis system. The review was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42022343408). RESULTS: Seven studies of 311 screened met the eligibility criteria, with a total of 10,652 patients with end-stage COPD, SLT (n = 6233), or BLT (n = 4419). Overall survival rates of BLT group were more favorable than SLT group at 1 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.43, I2 = 0%), 5 (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.58, I2 = 23%), and 10 years (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.57, 1.87, I2 = 12%) as well as the hazard ratio (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.76, I2 = 40%). Subgroup analysis on survival rates of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency also displayed a trend favoring BLT compared with SLT at 1 (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.08, I2 = 28%), 5 (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.50, 2.26, I2 = 42%), and 10 years (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.59, 2.48, I2 = 47%) as well as the HR (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.28, I2 = 82%). CONCLUSION: Compared with SLT, BLT seems to demonstrate more favorable trends in survival rates for the management of end-stage COPD. Despite the promising results, the groups have significant heterogeneity in baseline characteristics. Further prospective studies with extended follow-up periods are needed to ascertain the efficacy of treatment.

The Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation on Mood and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is extensively used to treat motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between subthalamic (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) DBS on mood and quality of life with reference to minimal clinically important differences (MCID). A systematic literature search for articles published until November 2022 yielded 14 studies meeting the eligibility criteria, with a total of 1,088 patients undergoing STN (n=571) or GPi (n=517) stimulation. Baseline patient and clinical characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Results showed that GPi stimulation demonstrated a greater reduction in the Beck depression inventory (mean difference (MD)=1.68) than STN stimulation (MD=0.84). Hospital anxiety and depression scale showed a 2.69- and 3.48-point decrease by the GPi group in the depression and anxiety categories, respectively. The summary index (SI) of the PD questionnaire depicted a greater improvement in the GPi group from baseline (mean=41.01, 95% CI 34.89, 47.13) to follow-up (mean=30.85, 95% CI 22.08, 39.63) when compared to the STN group (baseline mean=42.43, 95% CI 34.50, 50.37; follow-up mean=34.21, 95% CI 25.43, 42.99). The emotions category also demonstrated a similar trend. However, STN stimulation showed greater reductions in motor symptoms and medication than GPi stimulation. This meta-analysis demonstrated that GPi stimulation seems to offer an advantage over STN stimulation in improving mood and quality of life in PD, but those effects must be further validated by larger studies.