Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with mpox during the 2022 mpox outbreak compared with those before the outbreak: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization declared the global mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international significance. The mpox virus (MPXV) that caused the outbreak was classified as clade IIb, which belongs to the West African clade. However, the relationship between MPXV clades and symptoms, as well as the severity of mpox outcomes, is not fully understood. Thus, we aimed to investigate the global mpox prevalence and the differences in clinical manifestations and outcomes among patients with mpox between pre-outbreak (2003-2021) and the current mpox outbreak. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Google Scholar were searched using the keyword "monkeypox" and "mpox" up to 13 October 2022. A random effects model was used to obtain the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals. This study included 27 articles, and 5698 patients with mpox with 19 distinctive features from 19 countries across five continents were assessed. Patients with mpox during the 2022 mpox outbreak showed mild clinical manifestations and outcomes compared with those before the 2022 mpox outbreak: mild rash (relative ratio [RR]: 5.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-17.08), fever (0.68, 0.49-0.94), pruritus (0.25, 0.19-0.32), myalgia (0.50, 0.31-0.81), headache (0.56, 0.35-0.88), skin ulcer (0.32, 0.17-0.59), abdominal symptom (0.29, 0.20-0.42), pharyngitis (0.32, 0.18-0.58), nausea or vomiting (0.15, 0.02-0.93), conjunctivitis (0.11, 0.03-0.38), concomitant infection with HIV (1.70, 0.95-3 0.04), and death (0.02, 0.001-0.31). MPXV clade IIb exhibited higher infectivity but may cause mild disease symptoms and low mortality rate. It is important to consider MPXV infection in patients with mpox-related features and/or a history of sexual transmission to prevent the spread of the disease and recognise the current pandemic threat.

Long-Term Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Outcomes of COVID-19 : A Binational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Some data suggest a higher incidence of diagnosis of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) among patients with a history of COVID-19 compared with uninfected patients. However, these studies had methodological shortcomings. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of COVID-19 on long-term risk for incident AIRD over various follow-up periods. DESIGN: Binational, longitudinal, propensity-matched cohort study. SETTING: Nationwide claims-based databases in South Korea (K-COV-N cohort) and Japan (JMDC cohort). PARTICIPANTS: 10 027 506 Korean and 12 218 680 Japanese patients aged 20 years or older, including those with COVID-19 between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021, matched to patients with influenza infection and to uninfected control patients. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was onset of AIRD (per appropriate codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) 1, 6, and 12 months after COVID-19 or influenza infection or the respective matched index date of uninfected control patients. RESULTS: Between 2020 and 2021, among the 10 027 506 Korean participants (mean age, 48.4 years [SD, 13.4]; 50.1% men), 394 274 (3.9%) and 98 596 (0.98%) had a history of COVID-19 or influenza, respectively. After propensity score matching, beyond the first 30 days after infection, patients with COVID-19 were at increased risk for incident AIRD compared with uninfected patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.18 to 1.31]) and influenza-infected control patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.30 [CI, 1.02 to 1.59]). The risk for incident AIRD was higher with more severe acute COVID-19. Similar patterns were observed in the Japanese cohort. LIMITATIONS: Referral bias due to the pandemic; residual confounding. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increased risk for incident AIRD compared with matched patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection or with influenza infection. The risk for incident AIRD was higher with greater severity of acute COVID-19. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Research Foundation of Korea.

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Adverse Events Associated with Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Monoclonal Antibodies: A World Health Organization Pharmacovigilance Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (ADRs) after intravitreal anti-VEGF (aflibercept, bevacizumab, brolucizumab, and ranibizumab) treatment. PARTICIPANTS: VigiBase, a World Health Organization (WHO) global safety report database. DESIGN: Pharmacovigilance study. METHODS: The individual case safety reports (ICSRs) of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ADRs after intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment were compared with those reported in the full database. From 2004 to 2023, there were 23 129 ADRs after intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy and 25 015 132 ADRs associated with any drug (full database). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The reporting odds ratio (ROR) and information components (ICs) were calculated, and the 95% lower credibility interval end point of the information component (IC025) was used for disproportionate Bayesian reporting. Inter-drug comparisons were performed using the ratio of odds ratio (rOR). RESULTS: Compared with the full database, anti-VEGFs were associated with an increased reporting of myocardial infarction (IC025 0.75; ROR: 1.78 [95% CI, 1.70-1.86]), angina pectoris (IC025 0.53; ROR: 1.61 [95% CI, 1.47-1.77]), arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia (all IC025 > 0,.ROR>1), hypertension (IC025 2.22; ROR: 4.91 [95% CI, 4.82-5.01]), and hypertensive crisis (IC025 1.97; ROR: 4.49 [95% CI, 4.07-4.97]). Moreover, anti-VEGFs were associated with a higher reporting of cerebrovascular ADRs such as cerebral infarction (IC025 4.34; ROR: 23.19 [95% CI, 22.10-24.34]), carotid artery stenosis (IC025 1.85; ROR: 5.24 [95% CI, 3.98-6.89]), cerebral hemorrhage (IC025 2.29; ROR: 5.38 [95% CI, 5.03-5.76]), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (IC025 1.98; ROR: 4.81 [95% CI, 4.14-5.6]). Inter-drug comparison indicated that compared with ranibizumab, patients receiving aflibercept showed overall under-reporting of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ADRs such as myocardial infarction (rOR 0.55 [95% CI, 0.49-0.52]), atrial fibrillation (rOR 0.28 [95% CI, 0.23-0.35]), cerebrovascular accident (rOR, 0.15 [95% CI, 0.14-0.17]), and cerebral hemorrhage (rOR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.40-0.65]). CONCLUSIONS: In this pharmacovigilance case-noncase study, there was significantly increased reporting of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ADRs after intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment. Although ranibizumab may exhibit superior systemic safety regarding its biological characteristics, it is crucial not to overlook the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ADRs considering its higher reporting rate than bevacizumab or aflibercept. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Prognostic significance of tumour budding in noncolorectal gastrointestinal tract and pancreatobiliary tract: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tumour budding shows promise as a prognostic factor in various cancers, but its widespread application is hindered by the lack of large, validated studies and standardized criteria. This meta-analysis aims to review and examine the prognostic role of tumour budding specifically in noncolorectal gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary tract cancers, broadening our perspective on its clinical relevance. The literature review was conducted through PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception till 20 February 2023. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the relation between tumour budding and clinicopathologic features, as well as overall survival. Each study was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and both heterogeneity and publication bias were analysed. In this meta-analysis of 57 studies across various cancer types, multivariate HR revealed worse overall survival in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HR 3.34 [95% CI 2.21-5.04]), gastric adenocarcinoma (2.03 [1.38-2.99]), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (2.56 [2.02-3.25]), and biliary tract adenocarcinoma (3.11 [2.46-3.93]) with high-grade tumour budding. Additionally, high-grade tumour budding consistently correlated with adverse clinicopathological features, including lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, and distant metastasis without any observed inverse association. High heterogeneity was noted. Our study suggests that tumour budding is a valuable prognostic marker in various cancers. Nonetheless, standardized criteria tailored to specific organ types are necessary to enhance its clinical utility.

Trends in Racial Inequalities in the Administration of Opioid and Non-opioid Pain Medication in US Emergency Departments Across 1999-2020.

BACKGROUND: Despite initiatives to eradicate racial inequalities in pain treatment, there is no clear picture on whether this has translated to changes in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether racial disparities in the receipt of pain medication in the emergency department have diminished over a 22-year period from 1999 to 2020. DESIGN: We used data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, an annual, cross-sectional probability sample of visits to emergency departments of non-federal general and short-stay hospitals in the USA. PATIENTS: Pain-related visits to the ED by Black or White patients. MAIN MEASURES: Prescriptions for opioid and non-opioid analgesics. KEY RESULTS: A total of 203,854 of all sampled 625,433 ED visits (35%) by Black or White patients were pain-related, translating to a population-weighted estimate of over 42 million actual visits to US emergency departments for pain annually across 1999-2020. Relative risk regression found visits by White patients were 1.26 (95% CI, 1.22-1.30; p<0.001) times more likely to result in an opioid prescription for pain compared to Black patients (40% vs. 32%). Visits by Black patients were also 1.25 (95% CI, 1.21-1.30; p<0.001) times more likely to result in non-opioid analgesics only being prescribed. Results were not substantively altered after adjusting for insurance status, type and severity of pain, geographical region, and other potential confounders. Spline regression found no evidence of meaningful change in the magnitude of racial disparities in prescribed pain medication over 22 years. CONCLUSIONS: Initiatives to create equitable healthcare do not appear to have resulted in meaningful alleviation of racial disparities in pain treatment in the emergency department.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Prescribing of Pain Medication in US Primary Care Settings, 1999-2019: Where Are We Now?

BACKGROUND: Policy initiatives have attempted to reduce healthcare inequalities in the USA, but evidence on whether these initiatives have reduced racial and ethnic disparities in pain treatment in primary care is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether racial and ethnic disparities in medication prescribed for pain in primary care settings have diminished over a 21-year period from 1999 to 2019. DESIGN: An annual, representative cross-sectional probability sample of visits to US primary care physicians, taken from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. PATIENTS: Pain-related visits to primary care physicians. MAIN MEASURES: Prescriptions for opioid and non-opioid analgesics. KEY RESULTS: Of 599,293 (16%) sampled visits, 94,422 were pain-related, representing a population-weighted estimate of 143 million visits made annually to primary care physicians for pain. Relative risk analysis controlling for insurance, pain type, and other potential confounds showed no difference in pain medication prescribed between Black and White patients (p = .121). However, White patients were 1.61 (95% CI 1.32-1.97) and Black patients 1.57 (95% CI 1.26-1.95) times more likely to be prescribed opioids than a more underrepresented group consisting of Asian, Native-Hawaiian/Pacific-Islander, and American-Indian/Alaska-Natives (ps < .001). Non-Hispanic/Latino patients were 1.32 (95% CI 1.18-1.45) times more likely to receive opioids for pain than Hispanic/Latino patients (p < .001). Penalized cubic spline regression found no substantive narrowing of disparities over time. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that additional intervention strategies, or better implementation of existing strategies, are needed to eliminate ethnic and racial disparities in pain treatment towards the goal of equitable healthcare.

The impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on physical health outcomes in people with mood disorders across the lifespan: An umbrella review of the evidence from randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: People with mood disorders have increased risk of comorbid medical diseases versus the general population. It is paramount to identify interventions to improve physical health in this population. METHODS: Umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on pharmacological/non-pharmacological interventions for physical health outcomes/intolerability-related discontinuation in mood disorders (any age). RESULTS: Ninety-seven meta-analyses were included. Among youths, against placebo, in depression, antidepressants/antipsychotics had higher discontinuation rates; in bipolar depression, olanzapine+fluoxetine worsened total cholesterol (TC)/triglycerides/weight gain (WG) (large ES). In adults with bipolar disorder, olanzapine worsened HbA1c/TC/WG (moderate/large ES); asenapine increased fasting glucose (small ES); quetiapine/cariprazine/risperidone induced WG (small/moderate ES). In bipolar depression, lurasidone was metabolically neutral. In depression, psychological interventions improved physical health-related quality of life (PHQoL) (small ES), fasting glucose/HbA1c (medium/large ES); SSRIs improved fasting glucose/HbA1c, readmission for coronary disease, pain (small ES); quetiapine/aripiprazole/olanzapine induced WG (small to large ES). Exercise improved cardiorespiratory fitness (moderate ES). In the elderly, fluoxetine yielded more detrimental cardiovascular effects than sertraline/escitalopram (large ES); antidepressants were neutral on exercise tolerance and PHQoL. In mixed age groups, in bipolar disorder aripiprazole was metabolically neutral; in depression, SSRIs lowered blood pressure versus placebo and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (small ES); brexpiprazole augmentation caused WG and was less tolerated (small ES); exercise improved PHQoL (moderate ES). CONCLUSIONS: Some interventions (psychological therapies, exercise and SSRIs) improve certain physical health outcomes in mood disorders, few are neutral, but various pharmacological interventions are associated with negative effects. Evidence from this umbrella review has limitations, should consider evidence from other disorders and should be integrated with recent evidence from individual RCTs, and observational evidence. Effective treatments with either beneficial or physically neutral profiles should be prioritized.

Methodological rigour in preclinical urology: a systematic review reporting research quality over a 14-year period.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and trends of essential study design elements in preclinical urological studies, as well as key factors that may improve methodological rigour, as the demand for methodological rigour in preclinical studies is increasing since research reproducibility and transparency in the medico-scientific field are being questioned. METHODS AND RESULTS: PubMed was searched to include preclinical urological studies published between July 2007 to June 2021. A total of 3768 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data on study design elements and animal models used were collected. Citation density was also examined as a surrogate marker of study influence. We performed an analysis of the prevalence of seven critical study design elements and temporal patterns over 14 years. Randomisation was reported in 50.0%, blinding in 15.0%, sample size estimation in 1.0%, inclusion of both sexes in 6.3%, statistical analysis in 97.1%, housing and husbandry in 47.7%, and inclusion/exclusion criteria in 5.0%. Temporal analysis showed that the implementation of these study design elements has increased, except for inclusion of both sexes and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Reporting study design elements were associated with increased citation density in randomisation and statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of bias is prevalent in 14-year publications describing preclinical urological research, and the quality of methodological rigour is barely related to the citation density of the article. Yet five study design elements (randomisation, blinding, sample size estimation, statistical analysis, and housing and husbandry) proposed by both the National Institutes of Health and Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments guidelines have been either well reported or are being well reported over time. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022233125.

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to antibiotics and risk of food allergy in the offspring: A nationwide birth cohort study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: There are only preliminary studies examining the associations of postnatal antibiotic exposure with food allergy in childhood, and the effect of antibiotic exposure in utero has not been resolved. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal and postnatal antibiotic exposure on the risk of food allergy in childhood. METHODS: Using the nationwide birth cohort in South Korea, all 3,163,206 infants (pairing mother; n = 2,322,735) born in South Korea between 2010 and 2017 were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of food allergy, and the observation period was between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2020. We implemented four different designs for the study, which consisted of a full unmatched cohort, 1:1 propensity-matched cohort, sibling comparison cohort, and health screening cohort along with multiple subgroup analyses. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (median 6.92 years [IQR, 4.72-9.00]) of the 3,161,858 infants (52.6% male) in the birth cohort, 29,973 (1.9%) were diagnosed with food allergies. After a 1:1 propensity score matching, the use of antibiotics increased the risk of overall food allergy (prenatal [HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.09] and postnatal [HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10] periods). The association was more significantly accentuated when antibiotic exposure was used in the short term, and the children were born preterm or with low birthweight; however, a trimester-specific effect was not observed. We observed more pronounced risks of food allergy in the health screening cohort (prenatal, 17%; postnatal, 15%), thus addressing the adverse effects of critical factors including maternal BMI, smoking status, and type of infant feeding. Similar trends were observed across all four differnt cohorts. CONCLUSION: This study reported a moderate association between early-life antibiotic use and subsequent food allergy during childhood throughout four different designs of analyses. This study suggests that clinicians need to consider the risks and benefits of antibiotics when administering antibiotics to individuals in the prenatal and postnatal periods.

Temporal trends of carbonated soft-drink consumption among adolescents aged 12-15 years from eighteen countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Carbonated soft-drink consumption is detrimental to multiple facets of adolescent health. However, little is known about temporal trends in carbonated soft-drink consumption among adolescents, particularly in non-Western countries. Therefore, we aimed to examine this trend in representative samples of school-going adolescents from eighteen countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Cross-sectional data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey 2009-2017 were analysed. Carbonated soft-drink consumption referred to drinking carbonated soft-drinks at least once per day in the past 30 d. The prevalence of carbonated soft-drink consumption was calculated for each survey, and crude linear trends were assessed by linear regression models. Data on 74 055 students aged 12-15 years were analysed (mean age 13·9 (sd 1·0) years; 49·2 % boys). The overall mean prevalence of carbonated soft-drink consumption was 42·1 %. Of the eighteen countries included in the study, significant decreasing, increasing and stable trends of carbonated soft-drink consumption were observed in seven, two and nine countries, respectively. The most drastic decrease was observed in Kuwait between 2011 (74·4 %) and 2015 (51·7 %). Even in countries with significant decreasing trends, the decrease was rather modest, while some countries with stable trends had very high prevalence across time (e.g. Suriname 80·5 % in 2009 and 79·4 % in 2016). The prevalence of carbonated soft-drink consumption was high in all countries included in the present analysis, despite decreasing trends being observed in some. Public health initiatives to reduce the consumption of carbonated soft-drink consumption among adolescents are urgently required.

Genetics, structure, transmission, epidemiology, immune response, and vaccine efficacies of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant: A comprehensive review.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was the predominant variant behind the surges of COVID-19 in the United States, Europe, and India in the second half of 2021. The information available regarding the defining mutations and their effects on the structure, transmission, and vaccine efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 is constantly evolving. With waning vaccine immunity and relaxation of social distancing policies across the globe driving the increased spread of the Delta variant, there is a great need for a resource aggregating the most recent information for clinicians and researchers concerning the Delta variant. Accordingly, this narrative review comprehensively reviews the genetics, structure, epidemiology, clinical course, and vaccine efficacy of the Delta variant. Comparison with the omicron variant is also discussed. The Delta variant is defined by 15 mutations in the Spike protein, most of which increase affinity for the ACE-2 receptor or enhance immune escape. The Delta variant causes similar symptoms to prototypical COVID-19, but it is more likely to be severe, with a greater inflammatory phenotype and viral load. The reproduction number is estimated to be approximately twice the prototypical strains present during the early pandemic, and numerous breakthrough infections have been reported. Despite studies demonstrating breakthrough infection and reduced antibody neutralisation, full vaccination effectively reduces the likelihood of severe illness and hospitalisation.

Effects of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy on SARS-CoV-2 infection and maternal and neonatal outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, but no systematic synthesis of evidence on COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy against these outcomes has been undertaken. Thus, we aimed to assess the collective evidence on the effects of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes. PubMed/MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were systematically searched for articles published up to 1 November 2022. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to calculate pooled effects size and 95% confidence interval (CI). We evaluated 30 studies involving 862,272 individuals (308,428 vaccinated and 553,844 unvaccinated). Overall pooled analyses in pregnant women during pregnancy showed reduced risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 60% (41%-73%), COVID-19 hospitalisation during pregnancy by 53% (31%-69%), and COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) admission by 82% (12%-99%). Neonates of vaccinated women were 1.78 folds more likely to acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first 2, 4 and 6 months of life during the Omicron period. The risk of stillbirth was reduced by 45% (17%-63%) in association with vaccination (vs. no vaccination) in pregnancy. A decrease of 15% (3%-25%), 33% (14%-48%), and 33% (17%-46%) in the odds of preterm births before 37, 32 and 28 weeks' gestation were associated with vaccination (vs. no vaccination) in pregnancy, respectively. The risk of neonatal ICU admission was significantly lower by 20% following COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy (16%-24%). There was no evidence of a higher risk of adverse outcomes including miscarriage, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, cardiac problems, oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios, unassisted vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, postpartum haemorrhage, gestational age at delivery, placental abruption, Apgar score at 5 min below 7, low birthweight (<2500 g), very low birthweight (<1500 g), small for gestational age, and neonatal foetal abnormalities. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and highly effective in preventing maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, without increasing the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, and is associated with a reduction in stillbirth, preterm births, and neonatal ICU admission. Importantly, maternal vaccination did not reduce the risk of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first 6 months of life during the Omicron period.

Clinical manifestations of human Mpox infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Little is known about the ongoing monkeypox (mpox) outbreak, and the clinical features of mpox in patients worldwide have not been rigorously analysed. Thus, we aimed to investigate the clinical features associated with mpox infection and understand the pathophysiology and characteristics of the disease. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles published till 16 September 2022. We used a random effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI). We used the I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity, Egger's test to assess publication bias, 95% prediction interval to determine the level of uncertainty, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool to assess the risk of bias. Twenty-six relevant articles from 19 countries across 5 continents were included, and data on 5472 mpox patients with 18 unique features were analysed. The pooled prevalence of clinical features of mpox were rash (85.7%, 95% CI: 68.3-94.3; k = 21), chills (77.8%, 95% CI: 70.5-83.7; k = 3), and fever (62.3%, 95% CI: 51.3-71.6; k = 25), lymphadenopathy (58.6%, 95% CI: 47.2-69.2; k = 21), lethargy or exhaustion (46.8%, 95% CI: 30.7-63.5; k = 14), pruritus (40.6%, 95% CI: 28.5-54.0; k = 5), myalgia (36.0%, 95% CI: 24.3-49.7; k = 16), headache (34.6%, 95% CI: 23.4-47.8; k = 17), skin ulcer (31.1%, 95% CI: 18.6-47.1; k = 7), abdomen symptom (24.2%, 95% CI: 17.9-31.9; k = 11), pharyngitis (23.0%, 95% CI: 12.7-37.9; k = 14), respiratory symptom (19.5%, 95% CI: 6.8-44.6; k = 6), nausea or vomiting (13.0%, 95% CI: 4.6-31.9; k = 3), scrotal or penile oedema (10.7%, 95% CI: 6.3-17.7; k = 4), conjunctivitis (7.1%, 95% CI: 2.4-18.9; k = 6), and death (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.4-2.0; k = 26). This is the first international and comprehensive study to examine all clinical presentations of human mpox infection. Our systematic review proposes a comprehensive understanding of the current mpox outbreak and may serve as key data for future studies on the pathological mechanisms and epidemiology of mpox infections.

COVID-19 susceptibility and clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

The susceptibility, risk factors, and prognosis of COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain unknown. Thus, our study aims to assess the prevalence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in IBD. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and medRxiv from 2019 to 1 June 2022 for cohort and case-control studies comparing the prevalence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with IBD and in the general population. We also compared the outcomes of patients receiving and not receiving 5-aminosalicylates (ASA), tumour necrosis factor antagonists, biologics, systemic corticosteroids, or immunomodulators for IBD. Thirty five studies were eligible for our analysis. Pooled odds ratio of COVID-19-related hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death in IBD compared to in non-IBD were 0.58 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28-1.18), 1.09 (95% CI = 0.27-4.47), and 0.67 (95% CI = 0.32-1.42), respectively. Inflammatory bowel disease was not associated with increased hospitalisation, ICU admission, or death. Susceptibility to COVID-19 did not increase with any drugs for IBD. Hospitalisation, ICU admission, and death were more likely with 5-ASA and corticosteroid use. COVID-19-related hospitalisation (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.53; 95% CI = 0.38-0.74) and death (OR: 0.13; 95% CI = 0.13-0.70) were less likely with Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis (UC). In conclusion, IBD does not increase the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19. However, physicians should be aware that additional monitoring is needed in UC patients or in patients taking 5-ASA or systemic corticosteroids.

Dynapenic abdominal obesity and activities of daily living disability among older adults residing in low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) may be associated with an increased risk of disability. However, to date, this has not been investigated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), while the mediators are largely unknown. AIMS: Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between DAO and activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and to identify potential mediators among older adults from six LMICs. METHODS: Cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health were analyzed. Data on 20,198 adults aged ≥ 60 years were analyzed [mean (SD) age 69.3 (13.1) years; 54.1% females]. Dynapenia was defined as handgrip strength of < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference of > 88 cm for women and > 102 cm for men. DAO was defined as having both dynapenia and abdominal obesity. Disability was defined as severe or extreme difficulty in conducting at least one of six types of ADL. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Compared to no dynapenia and no abdominal obesity, DAO was significantly associated with 2.08 (95%CI = 1.37-3.17) times higher odds for ADL disability Mediation analysis showed that diabetes (mediated percentage 4.7%), hypertension (7.2%), and angina (7.7%) were significant mediators in the association between DAO and ADL disability. CONCLUSIONS: DAO was associated with increased odds for ADL disability among older adults from LMICs. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to assess temporal associations, and whether addressing or preventing DAO can impact on future occurrence of disability.

Association between sedentary behavior and dynapenic abdominal obesity among older adults from low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior, or time spent sitting, may increase risk for dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO), but there are currently no studies on this topic. AIMS: Therefore, we investigated the association between sedentary behaviour and DAO in a nationally representative sample of older adults from six low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health were analysed. Dynapenia was defined as handgrip strength < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference of > 88 cm (> 80 cm for Asian countries) for women and > 102 cm (> 90 cm) for men. DAO was defined as having both dynapenia and abdominal obesity. Self-reported sedentary behavior was categorized as ≥ 8 h/day (high sedentary behaviour) or < 8 h/day. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was conducted. RESULTS: Data on 20,198 adults aged ≥ 60 years were analyzed [mean (SD) age 69.3 (13.1) years; 54.1% females]. In the overall sample, ≥ 8 h of sedentary behavior per day (vs. <8 h) was significantly associated with 1.52 (95%CI = 1.11-2.07) times higher odds for DAO (vs. no dynapenia and no abdominal obesity), and this was particularly pronounced among males (OR = 2.27; 95%CI = 1.42-3.62). Highly sedentary behavior was not significantly associated with dynapenia alone or abdominal obesity alone. DISCUSSION: High sedentary behaviour may increase risk for DAO among older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour may also lead to reduction of DAO and its adverse health outcomes, especially among males, pending future longitudinal research.

Safety of Early Surgery in Hip Fracture Patients Taking Clopidogrel and/or Aspirin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of early surgery in hip fracture patients who took clopidogrel and/or aspirin. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, for studies relating to early arthroplasty or internal fixation for femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures in patients taking clopidogrel and/or aspirin. A total of 20 observational studies involving 3,077 patients were included in this meta-analysis, and analyzed in groups of early surgery versus delayed surgery, and clopidogrel and/or aspirin versus nonantiplatelet agents. RESULTS: Patients in the clopidogrel and/or aspirin group who underwent early surgery had significantly more intraoperative blood loss than those in the non-antiplatelet group (mean difference = 17.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] [4.37, 31.55], P = .01), and patients in the clopidogrel and/or aspirin group had a lower overall incidence of complications after early surgery than those in the delayed surgery group (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% CI [0.14, 0.29], P < .001) and a shorter length of hospital stay (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% CI [0.14, 0.29], P < .001). There was no significant difference in postoperative mortality and other related indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgery in hip fracture patients taking clopidogrel and/or aspirin appears to be safe based on the available evidence and needs to be clarified by higher quality studies. However, the increased risk of cardiovascular events associated with discontinuation of clopidogrel or clopidogrel combined with aspirin dual antiplatelet therapy requires attention in the perioperative period.

Global Incidence and Prevalence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis, 1976-2022: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Owing to 2018 expanded diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and thus a possible increase in diagnosis, previous studies on the global incidence and prevalence of EoE may need to be updated. We aimed to describe global, regional, and national trends in the incidence and prevalence of EoE from 1976 to 2022 and analyze their associations with geographic, demographic, and social factors through a systematic review. METHODS: We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases from their inception dates to December 20, 2022, for studies that reported the incidence or prevalence of EoE in the general population. We calculated the global incidence and prevalence of EoE using pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and performed subgroup analysis based on age, sex, race, geographical area, World Bank income group, and diagnostic criteria of EoE. RESULTS: Forty studies met the eligibility criteria, including over 288 million participants and 147,668 patients with EoE from 15 countries across the five continents. The global pooled incidence and prevalence of EoE were 5.31 cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years (95% CI, 3.98-6.63; number of studies, 27; sample population, 42,191,506) and 40.04 cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years (95% CI, 31.10-48.98; number of studies, 20; sample population, 30,467,177), respectively. The pooled incidence of EoE was higher in high-income countries (vs low- or middle-income countries), males, and North America (vs Europe and Asia). The global prevalence of EoE followed a similar pattern. The pooled prevalence of EoE gradually increased from 1976 to 2022 (1976-2001; 8.18; 95% CI, 3.67-12.69 vs 2017-2022; 74.42; 95% CI, 39.66-109.19 cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and prevalence of EoE have increased substantially and vary widely across the world. Further research is needed to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of EoE in Asia, South America, and Africa.

Maternal ApoE genotype and risk of recurrent pregnancy loss: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In order to clarify the role of the maternal apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype and the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), we herein performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to reevaluate the evidence on this association. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane library up to September 2022. Methodological study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the credibility of significant pooled odds ratios (ORs) was estimated by the false positive report probability and the Bayesian false discovery probability. RESULTS: Twelve studies published from 2009 to 2022 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In the overall analysis, the ε4 allele was found to confer an increased risk of RPL compared to the ε3 allele (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.00-2.55, p = 0.049) and women carrying the ApoE ε4 allele displayed a higher risk of RPL compared with those carrying the ε2 and ε3 alleles (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.06-2.87, p = 0.028). Subgroup analysis based on subjects' ethnicity revealed that these associations were restricted to the Asian population (ε4 allele vs. ε3 allele, OR 5.93, 95% CI 1.79-19.61, p = 0.004; ε4 allele carriers vs. carriers of ε2 and ε3 alleles, OR 8.42, 95% CI 1.47-48.12, p = 0.017). None of the associations detected were found to be noteworthy under false positive report probability or Bayesian false discovery probability at a prior probability of 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: This updated meta-analysis highlights an association between maternal ApoE genotype and RPL risk in Asians, but not in Caucasians. Further case-control studies are warranted in women of Asian ancestry to exclude the possibility of false-positive findings.

Risk factors for serious infections in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: Severe infections contribute to morbidity and mortality in antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with severe infections in participants of the Rituximab versus Cyclophosphamide for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (RAVE) trial. METHODS: Data on 197 patients recruited into the RAVE trial were analysed. Participants received either rituximab (RTX) or cyclophosphamide (CYC), followed by azathioprine (AZA). Clinical and laboratory data of patients with and without severe infections (≥grade 3, according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0) were compared. Risk factors for severe infections were investigated using Cox-regression models. RESULTS: Eighteen of 22 (82%) severe infections occurred within 6 months after trial entry, most commonly respiratory tract infections (15/22, 68%). At baseline, lower absolute numbers of CD19+ cells were observed in patients with severe infections either receiving RTX or CYC/AZA at baseline, while CD5+B and CD3+T cells did not differ between groups. In Cox-regression analysis, higher baseline serum immunoglobulin M levels were associated with the risk of severe infections, whereby a higher baseline total CD19+B cell number and prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jirovecii with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) with decreased risk of severe infections. Use of TMP/SMX was associated with lower risk of severe infections in both groups, receiving either RTX or CYC/AZA. CONCLUSIONS: The use of low-dose TMP/SMX is associated with reduced risk of severe infections in patients with AAV treated with either RTX or CYC/AZA. Reduced B cell subpopulations at start of treatment might be a useful correlate of reduced immunocompetence.