Novel inhaled pulmonary vasodilators in adult cardiac surgery: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common cause of postoperative mortality in cardiac surgery that is commonly treated with conventional inhaled therapies, specifically nitric oxide and prostacyclin. Alternative therapies include inhaled milrinone and levosimendan, which are receiving more research interest and are increasing in clinical use as they may cut costs while allowing for easier administration. We sought to conduct a scoping review to appraise the evidence base for the use of these two novel inhaled vasodilators as an intervention for PH in cardiac surgery. SOURCE: We searched Embase and MEDLINE for relevant articles from 1947 to 2022. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We identified 17 studies including 969 patients. The included studies show that inhaled milrinone and levosimendan are selective pulmonary vasodilators with potential benefits ranging from ease of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass to reduction in ventricular dysfunction. Nevertheless, high-quality data are limited, and study design and comparators are extremely heterogeneous, limiting the potential validity and generalizability of findings. CONCLUSION: The findings of this scoping review suggest that milrinone and levosimendan may be effective alternatives to current inhaled therapies for cardiac dysfunction in the setting of PH. Nevertheless, randomized trials have focused on specific agents and consistent outcome measures are needed to better validate the early-stage promise of these agents. STUDY REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/z3k6f/ ); first posted 21 July 2022.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'hypertension pulmonaire (HTP) est une cause fréquente de mortalité postopératoire en chirurgie cardiaque généralement traitée par des thérapies inhalées conventionnelles, en particulier le monoxyde d'azote et la prostacycline. Les thérapies alternatives comprennent la milrinone et le lévosimendan inhalés, qui suscitent de plus en plus d'intérêt dans la recherche et sont de plus en plus utilisés en clinique car ils peuvent réduire les coûts tout en permettant une administration plus facile. Nous avons cherché à réaliser une étude de portée afin d'évaluer la base de données probantes concernant l'utilisation de ces deux nouveaux vasodilatateurs inhalés comme intervention pour l'HTP en chirurgie cardiaque. SOURCES: Nous avons cherché des articles pertinents dans Embase et MEDLINE de 1947 à 2022. CONSTATATIONS PRINCIPALES: Nous avons identifié 17 études incluant 969 patient·es. Les études incluses montrent que la milrinone et le lévosimendan inhalés sont des vasodilatateurs pulmonaires sélectifs possédant des avantages potentiels allant de la facilité de sevrage de la circulation extracorporelle à la réduction de la dysfonction ventriculaire. Néanmoins, les données de haute qualité sont limitées, et la conception des études et les comparateurs sont extrêmement hétérogènes, ce qui limite la validité potentielle et la généralisabilité des résultats. CONCLUSION: Les résultats de cette étude de portée suggèrent que la milrinone et le lévosimendan pourraient être des solutions de rechange efficaces aux traitements inhalés actuels pour le dysfonctionnement cardiaque dans un contexte d'HTP. Néanmoins, les études randomisées se sont concentrées sur des agents spécifiques et des mesures cohérentes des résultats sont nécessaires pour mieux valider les promesses de ces agents à un stade précoce. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/z3k6f/ ); première publication le 21 juillet 2022.

Scoping review and expert-based consensus recommendations for assessment and management of psychogenic non-epileptic (functional) seizures (PNES) in children: A report from the Pediatric Psychiatric Issues Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy.

Limited guidance exists regarding the assessment and management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in children. Our aim was to develop consensus-based recommendations to fill this gap. The members of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force on Pediatric Psychiatric Issues conducted a scoping review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SR) standards. This was supplemented with a Delphi process sent to pediatric PNES experts. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement. The systematic search identified 77 studies, the majority (55%) of which were retrospective (only one randomized clinical trial). The primary means of PNES identification was video electroencephalography (vEEG) in 84% of studies. Better outcome was associated with access to counseling/psychological intervention. Children with PNES have more frequent psychiatric disorders than controls. The Delphi resulted in 22 recommendations: Assessment-There was consensus on the importance of (1) taking a comprehensive developmental history; (2) obtaining a description of the events; (3) asking about potential stressors; (4) the need to use vEEG if available parent, self, and school reports and video recordings can contribute to a "probable" diagnosis; and (5) that invasive provocation techniques or deceit should not be employed. Management-There was consensus about the (1) need for a professional with expertise in epilepsy to remain involved for a period after PNES diagnosis; (2) provision of appropriate educational materials to the child and caregivers; and (3) that the decision on treatment modality for PNES in children should consider the child's age, cognitive ability, and family factors. Comorbidities-There was consensus that all children with PNES should be screened for mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Recommendations to facilitate the assessment and management of PNES in children were developed. Future directions to fill knowledge gaps were proposed.

Telehealth-supervised exercise in systemic lupus erythematosus: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of telehealth-supervised exercise for adults with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: This was a non-randomised controlled pilot trial comparing telehealth-supervised exercise (8 weeks, 2 days/week, 45 min, moderate intensity) plus usual care with usual care alone. Mixed methods were used to assess change in fatigue (FACIT-fatigue), quality of life (SF36), resting fatigue and pain (11-point scale), lower body strength (five-time sit-to-stand) and endurance (30 s sit-to-stand), upper body endurance (30 s arm curl), aerobic capacity (2 min step test), and experience (survey and interviews). Group comparison was performed statistically using a two-sample T-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Where known, we used MCID or MCII, or assumed a change of 10%, to determine clinically meaningful change within groups over time. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen female adults with SLE were included (control group n = 7, exercise group n = 8). Statistically significant differences between groups, in favour of the exercise intervention, were noted for SF36 domain emotional well-being (p = 0.048) and resting fatigue (p = 0.012). There were clinically meaningful improvements over time for FACIT-fatigue (+6.3 ± 8.3, MCID >5.9), SF36 domains physical role functioning (+30%), emotional role functioning (+55%), energy/fatigue (+26%), emotional well-being (+19%), social functioning (+30%), resting pain (-32%), and upper body endurance (+23%) within the exercise group. Exercise attendance was high (98%, 110/112 sessions); participants strongly agreed (n = 5/7, 71%) or agreed (n = 2/7, 29%) they would do telehealth-supervised exercise again and were satisfied with the experience. Four themes emerged: (1) ease and efficiency of exercising from home, (2) value of live exercise instruction, (3) challenges of exercising at home, and (4) continuation of telehealth-supervised exercise sessions. CONCLUSION: Key findings from this mixed-method investigation suggest that telehealth-supervised exercise was feasible for, and well-accepted by, adults with SLE and resulted in some modest health improvements. We recommend a follow-up RCT with more SLE participants.

Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Severe or Fulminant Clostridioides difficile.

BACKGROUND: Severe and fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has proved to be a highly effective treatment for recurrent CDI, its efficacy in severe or fulminant CDI remains uncertain. AIMS: To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis evaluating clinical outcomes and safety of FMT in severe and fulminant CDI. METHODS: A systemic review with meta-analysis was performed through comprehensive search of Embase, Medline (Ovid), trial registers, and conference abstracts through January 2020. Studies on FMT in severe and fulminant CDI were included. Meta-analysis was done with random effects models given heterogeneity to estimate rates of cure, mortality, and colectomy. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test. RESULTS: Sixteen studies comprised of one randomized controlled trial, four cohort studies, and eleven case series were analyzed. In total, 676 patients underwent FMT for severe or fulminant CDI. The overall rate of clinical cure after single FMT was 61.3% (95% CI 43.2-78.0%) with 10.9% (95% CI 0.2-30.2%) of patients experiencing major adverse events. The overall pooled colectomy rate after FMT was 8.2% (95% CI 0.1-23.7%) with a pooled all-cause mortality rate after FMT of 15.6% (95% CI 7.8-25.0%). CONCLUSION: Low-quality data support the use of fecal microbiota transplantation in patients with severe and fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection.

Oral Fecal Microbiota Transplant Capsules Are Safe and Effective for Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

GOALS: We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to examine the efficacy and safety of oral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsules for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). BACKGROUND: FMT through colonoscopy is established as effective and safe in treating multiple recurrences of CDI, but consensus has not been established on delivery through oral capsules. STUDY: A systematic literature search was performed with multiple databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify original studies including at least 10 patients that investigated the role of oral FMT capsules to treat rCDI. Cure rates were pooled by a random effects model and publication bias was assessed with the Egger test. Secondary analyses assessed for differences between capsule preparation (frozen vs. lyophilized stool) and delivery modality (capsule vs. colonoscopy). RESULTS: Fifteen studies (12 case series and 3 randomized controlled trials) encompassing 763 patients were identified for inclusion. Significant variability existed in baseline patient characteristics and protocols. Meta-analysis of proportions showed efficacy of oral FMT capsules to be 0.821 (95% confidence interval: 0.762-0.874). No evidence for publication bias was found (P=0.51). Secondary analyses did not find significant differences in efficacy. Fourteen adverse events leading to death or hospitalization were noted, none of which were attributed to FMT. CONCLUSIONS: Oral FMT capsules for rCDI are promising because of ease of administration and noninvasive delivery. We found an overall efficacy of 82.1% with a low rate of serious adverse events. Further studies are needed to optimize protocols and outcomes.

MoodNetwork: An Innovative Approach to Patient-centered Research.

INTRODUCTION: Research has often been viewed as a passive process by which participants enroll in studies developed by researchers. It is becoming clearer that to understand the nuances of mood episodes and how to prevent them, we need to conduct large clinical trials that have the power to investigate moderators and mediators, or catalysts and mechanisms of change. MoodNetwork, the first online, patient-centered research community for individuals with mood disorders, aims to change the way that traditional research has been conducted by involving patients, their caregivers, and advocates in the process of research. The aim of this report is to share lessons learned from developing MoodNetwork. METHODS: Participants enroll by completing a demographic survey and consent form. Once enrolled, participants are encouraged to complete optional surveys about their mood disorders and areas of research priority. Stakeholder and advocacy partners developed the website, web-based surveys, and recruitment materials. RESULTS: MoodNetwork has enrolled 4103 participants to date. Of this sample, 96.9% report experiencing depression and 79.7% endorse symptoms of mania or hypomania. Participants rated reducing stigma and alleviating symptoms as their 2 largest research priorities. Recruitment has been slower than expected. Recruiting a diverse sample has been challenging, and this impacts the Network's ability to conduct comparative effectiveness research studies. DISCUSSION: We discuss lessons learned from recruiting individuals with mood disorders to MoodNetwork, an innovative approach to conducting clinical trials. We identify and review 5 strategies for increasing enrollment as well as future directions.

Treatment outcomes of acute bipolar depressive episode with psychosis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of psychosis on the treatment of bipolar depression is remarkably understudied. The primary aim of this study was to compare treatment outcomes of bipolar depressed individuals with and without psychosis. The secondary aim was to compare the effect of lithium and quetiapine, each with adjunctive personalized treatments (APTs), in the psychotic subgroup. METHODS: We assessed participants with DSM-IV bipolar depression included in a comparative effectiveness study of lithium and quetiapine with APTs (the Bipolar CHOICE study). Severity was assessed by the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale (BISS) and by the Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity-Bipolar Version (CGI-S-BP). Mixed models were used to assess the course of symptom change, and Cox regression survival analysis was used to assess the time to remission. RESULTS: Psychotic features were present in 10.6% (n = 32) of the depressed participants (n = 303). Those with psychotic features had higher scores on the BISS before (75.2 ± 17.6 vs. 54.9 ± 16.3; P < .001) and after (37.2 ± 19.7 vs. 26.3 ± 18.0; P = .003) 6-month treatment. The CGI-S-BP yielded similar results. Participants with and without psychosis had similar course of symptom improvement and similar time to remission. There was no significant difference in the treatment outcomes of lithium (n = 11) and quetiapine (n = 21) among the psychotic subgroup. CONCLUSION: Bipolar depressive episodes with psychotic features are more severe, and compared to nonpsychotic depressions, present a similar course of improvement. Given the small number of participants presenting psychosis, the lack of statistically significant difference between lithium- and quetiapine-based treatment of psychotic bipolar depressive episodes needs replication in a larger sample.

Decreased activation and subsyndromal manic symptoms predict lower remission rates in bipolar depression.

OBJECTIVE: Activation encompasses energy and activity and is a central feature of bipolar disorder. However, the impact of activation on treatment response of bipolar depression requires further exploration. The aims of this study were to assess the association of decreased activation and sustained remission in bipolar depression and test for factors that could affect this association. METHODS: We assessed participants with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed) bipolar depression ( n = 303) included in a comparative effectiveness study of lithium- and quetiapine-based treatments (the Bipolar CHOICE study). Activation was evaluated using items from the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale. The selection of these items was based on a dimension of energy and interest symptoms associated with poorer treatment response in major depression. RESULTS: Decreased activation was associated with lower remission rates in the raw analyses and in a logistic regression model adjusted for baseline severity and subsyndromal manic symptoms (odds ratio = 0.899; p = 0.015). The manic features also predicted lower remission (odds ratio = 0.934; p < 0.001). Remission rates were similar in the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Decreased activation and subsyndromal manic symptoms predict lower remission rates in bipolar depression. Patients with these features may require specific treatment approaches, but new studies are necessary to identify treatments that could improve outcomes in this population.

Individualized Progress Measures Are More Acceptable to Clinicians Than Standardized Measures: Results of a National Survey.

Despite research supporting measurement-based care grounded in standardized progress measures, such measures are underutilized by clinicians. Individualized measures of client-specific targets present an alternative, but little is known about their acceptability or use. We compared attitudes toward and use of standardized and individualized progress measures in a national sample of 504 clinicians. Clinicians reported neutral to positive attitudes toward both types of measures, but strongly preferred and were more likely to use individualized measures. Clinician attitudes, theoretical orientation, and work setting predicted assessment preferences and practices. Implications for dissemination and implementation of measurement-based care are discussed.

Preregistration nursing students' motivation for speaking up for patient safety: An integrated literature review.

AIM: The aim of this review was to uncover what motivates preregistration nursing students to speak up for patient safety during work integrated learning (WIL) and to develop an evidence-based safety motivation framework for use by educators, clinicians, and preregistration nursing students. DESIGN: This study used an integrative literature review design guided by Whittemore and Knafl's methodological framework. DATA SOURCES: Five research databases, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for relevant peer reviewed research literature published in English between January 2011 and January 2024. The use of MeSH terms "undergraduate nursing student," or "preregistration nursing student" and "speaking up," "patient safety," and "motivation," resulted in 489 search returns. Following application of filters and inclusion criteria fifty-four (n = 54) studies were identified as being relevant to the research aim. REVIEW METHODS: The fifty-four (n = 54) research studies were reviewed using the JBI Critical Appraisal tool relevant to the study methodology. The JBI critical appraisal tools are checklists used to determine research quality, validity, results, and meaning. Following appraisal, 27 studies were included in the integrative literature review. RESULTS: Authentic learning, view of self as a nurse, and positive work integrated learning experiences were found to be the primary motivators for preregistration nursing students to speak up for patient safety during work integrated learning. These three motivators provided the foundation for an evidence-based framework, underpinned by self-determination theory, that can be used to enhance preregistration nursing students' motivation to speak up for patient safety. CONCLUSIONS: The integrative review design enabled the development of the evidence-based Safety Motivation Framework to support preregistration nursing students' during work integrated learning however missing from the literature was information about the lived experience of this group of students when speaking up for patient safety.

Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Disparities exist in the populations that acquire TBIs, however, with a greater burden and poorer outcomes associated with communities of color and lower socioeconomic status. To combat health inequities such as these, institutions have begun to target social determinants of health (SDoH), which are environmental factors that affect health outcomes and risks. The SDoH may play a role in sustaining a TBI and provide modifiable targets for action to reduce the risk of TBI, especially in high-risk communities. In this study, we describe the existing literature regarding SDoH and their association with sustaining a TBI. We performed a scoping review with a comprehensive search of the Ovid MEDLINE/Embase databases. To summarize the literature, this review adapts the World Health Organization's Commission on SDoH's conceptual framework. Fifty-nine full-text articles, including five focusing on lower and middle-income countries, met our study criteria. Results of the scoping review indicate that several structural determinants of health were associated with TBI risk. Lower educational attainment and income levels were associated with higher odds of TBI. In addition, multiple studies highlight that minority populations were identified as having higher odds of TBI than their White counterparts. Literature highlighting intermediate determinants of health examined in this review describes associations between sustaining a TBI and rurality, work environment, medical conditions, medication/substance use, and adversity. Recommended exploration into lesser-researched SDoH is discussed, and the expansion of this review to other aspects of the TBI continuum is warranted.

Challenging assumptions about the demographics of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases: A systematic review.

Background: The demographic characteristics of patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) are poorly understood. Population-based assessments of EGID demographics may indicate health disparities in diagnosis. Objectives: We aimed to characterize the demographic distribution of EGIDs and evaluate the potential for bias in reporting patient characteristics. Methods: We conducted a systematic review, extracting data on age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, body mass index, insurance, and urban/rural residence on EGID patients and the source population. Differences in proportions were assessed by chi-square tests. Demographic reporting was compared to recent guidelines. Results: Among 50 studies that met inclusion/exclusion criteria, 12 reported ≥1 demographic feature in both EGID and source populations. Except for age and sex or gender, demographics were rarely described (race = 4, ethnicity = 1, insurance = 1) or were not described (body mass index, urban/rural residence). A higher proportion of male subjects was observed for EoE or esophageal eosinophilia relative to the source population, but no difference in gender or sex distribution was observed for other EGIDs. "Sex" and "gender" were used interchangeably, and frequently only the male proportion was reported. Reporting of race and ethnicity was inconsistent with guidelines. Conclusion: Current data support a male predominance for EoE only. Evidence was insufficient to support enrichment of EGIDs in any particular racial, ethnic, or other demographic group. Population-based studies presenting demographics on both cases and source populations are needed. Implementation of guidelines for more inclusive reporting of demographic characteristics is crucial to prevent disparities in timely diagnosis and management of patients with EGIDs.

Expert Recommendations on Use of Topical Therapeutics for Vitiligo in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Patients.

Importance: Evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of vitiligo in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients in the US are needed. Objective: To develop evidence- and consensus-based expert recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo in young patients. Evidence Review: A process was developed to produce consensus recommendations addressing questions regarding pediatric vitiligo. A librarian-conducted literature review was performed using articles that met the inclusion criteria: published in English, containing primary data (including meta-analysis) and pediatric-specific data, and analysis of 6 or more patients. Included articles were graded by the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy criteria and Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine's Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendation. Research questions were reviewed on May 9, 2022, through a video conference. One month after the conference, participants participated in an online survey documenting their level of agreement with the generated statements, using a 5-point Likert scale. Findings: Articles on topical corticosteroids and/or topical calcineurin inhibitors (n = 50), topical Janus kinase inhibitors (n = 5), pseudocatalase (n = 2), and microdermabrasion (n = 2) met inclusion criteria. Forty-two recommendations were made on the diagnosis of vitiligo and optimal topical therapeutics, with 33 recommendations obtaining a 70% or greater composite agreement and strong agreement. Topical calcineurin inhibitors twice daily, topical corticosteroids with time limitation due to atrophy risk, and topical ruxolitinib, 1.5%, cream-used off-label for patients younger than 12 years and limited to nonsegmental vitiligo-were identified as evidence-based first-line therapies in the management of pediatric and adolescent patients, with specific guidance on age-based data, minimum therapeutic trial of 6 months or greater, prolonged therapy to prevent recurrence, and the positive benefit of coordinated use of UV therapeutic sources. Conclusions and Relevance: Evidence supports the use of topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical corticosteroids, and topical Janus kinase inhibitors as effective therapeutics for vitiligo in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients, with specific decisions on choice of agent based on factors such as site location, body surface area, and age.

Systematic review of TNFα-induced paradoxical psoriasis: Treatment outcomes of switching to alternative biologic therapies in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacies of different biologic therapies in treating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)-induced paradoxical psoriasis (PXP) and controlling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a literature search of the Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from their inception to October 3, 2021. We considered all peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials, chart reviews, and observational studies that discussed the TNFα-induced PXP treatment outcomes in IBD patients of switching to different biologic therapies. RESULTS: Switching to ustekinumab (UST) resulted in complete or partial resolution of TNFα-induced PXP in 83.1% of patients (74 out of 89 patients), while switching to either vedolizumab (VDZ) or secukinumab led to complete resolution in 100% of patients (eight out of eight patients). Approximately 75.4% of patients who were switched to UST remained in IBD remission, 4.6% in partial remission, and 20.0% in the flare of IBD. CONCLUSIONS: UST has sufficient data to demonstrate the efficacy in treating TNFα-induced PXP and controlling IBD symptoms concurrently. More data is needed to validate the efficacies of VDZ and SEC in treating TNFα-induced PXP in IBD patients.

Family Treatments for Individuals at Risk for Suicide.

Background: This PRISMA scoping review explored worldwide research on family-based treatments for suicide prevention. Research on this topic highlights the importance of facilitating familial understanding of a suicidal individual. Aim: The review sought evidence of outcomes of trials in which both the patient and family member in the intervention arm attended the same sessions at which suicide was openly discussed. Method: To explore this topic, the authors searched for randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials using Medline (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), Social Services Abstracts (EBSCO), and Web of Science on July 8, 2020. Results: Ten different studies were included that spanned five treatment modalities. Specifically, of the interventions in these 10 articles, 40% employed some sort of cognitive-behavioral therapy, 20% examined attachment-based family therapy, 20% used family-based crisis intervention, and the remaining 20% were distinct interventions from one another. Additionally, several of these articles demonstrated rigorous study methodology and many of the articles reported significant improvements in suicidal ideation or behaviors. Conclusion: Several important research gaps were identified. While this approach has been largely understudied, and to date has been primarily researched in adolescent populations, family interventions have great potential for treatment and prevention of suicidality.

Anemia in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa : A systematic review with meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with a number of physical and psychological comorbidities. Studies have suggested an association between HS and anemia; however, this association is not widely understood and may result in delayed diagnosis and treatment and possible increase in morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis regarding the association between HS and anemia, and to characterize the subtypes of anemia associated with HS. DATA SOURCES: A search of the EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from the time of database inception to September 25, 2022, yielded 313 unique articles. STUDY SELECTION: All observational studies and randomized controlled trials published in English that examined the odds ratio (OR) of anemia in patients with HS were screened by 2 independent reviewers. Case reports were excluded. Among 313 unique articles, 7 were deemed eligible. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines facilitated data extraction. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to analyze risk of bias of included studies. In addition to OR and 95% confidence intervals, relevant data on patient demographics and anemia subtypes were also extracted. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the OR of anemia in HS patients. This study also attempted to characterize anemia subtypes associated with HS. RESULTS: In total, 2 case-control and 5 cross-sectional studies featured a total of 11,693 patients. Among the studies, 4 of 7 demonstrated a statistically significant positive association between anemia and HS (ORs, 2.20 [1.42-3.41], 2.33 [1.99-2.73], 1.87 [1.02-3.44], and 1.50 [1.43-1.57]), with macrocytic and microcytic subtypes being most common. After adjusting for publication bias, meta-analysis with random effects revealed HS to be associated with increased odds of anemia compared to non-HS groups (OR 1.59 [1.19, 2.11]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: There is a statistically significant positive association between HS and anemia, particularly for the aforementioned subtypes. Patients with HS should be screened for anemia. In case of lower hemoglobin concentration, the anemia of HS patients should be subdivided according to mean corpuscular volume of the red blood cells and further investigated depending on subtype.

The Need to Prioritize Model-Updating Processes in Clinical Artificial Intelligence (AI) Models: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: With an increase in the number of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms available for clinical settings, appropriate model updating and implementation of updates are imperative to ensure applicability, reproducibility, and patient safety. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review was to evaluate and assess the model-updating practices of AI and ML clinical models that are used in direct patient-provider clinical decision-making. METHODS: We used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist and the PRISMA-P protocol guidance in addition to a modified CHARMS (Checklist for Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies) checklist to conduct this scoping review. A comprehensive medical literature search of databases, including Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify AI and ML algorithms that would impact clinical decision-making at the level of direct patient care. Our primary end point is the rate at which model updating is recommended by published algorithms; we will also conduct an assessment of study quality and risk of bias in all publications reviewed. In addition, we will evaluate the rate at which published algorithms include ethnic and gender demographic distribution information in their training data as a secondary end point. RESULTS: Our initial literature search yielded approximately 13,693 articles, with approximately 7810 articles to consider for full reviews among our team of 7 reviewers. We plan to complete the review process and disseminate the results by spring of 2023. CONCLUSIONS: Although AI and ML applications in health care have the potential to improve patient care by reducing errors between measurement and model output, currently there exists more hype than hope because of the lack of proper external validation of these models. We expect to find that the AI and ML model-updating methods are proxies for model applicability and generalizability on implementation. Our findings will add to the field by determining the degree to which published models meet the criteria for clinical validity, real-life implementation, and best practices to optimize model development, and in so doing, reduce the overpromise and underachievement of the contemporary model development process. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/37685.

Postmortem changes in brain cell structure: a review.

Brain cell structure is a key determinant of neural function that is frequently altered in neurobiological disorders. Following the global loss of blood flow to the brain that initiates the postmortem interval (PMI), cells rapidly become depleted of energy and begin to decompose. To ensure that our methods for studying the brain using autopsy tissue are robust and reproducible, there is a critical need to delineate the expected changes in brain cell morphometry during the PMI. We searched multiple databases to identify studies measuring the effects of PMI on the morphometry (i.e. external dimensions) of brain cells. We screened 2119 abstracts, 361 full texts, and included 172 studies. Mechanistically, fluid shifts causing cell volume alterations and vacuolization are an early event in the PMI, while the loss of the ability to visualize cell membranes altogether is a later event. Decomposition rates are highly heterogenous and depend on the methods for visualization, the structural feature of interest, and modifying variables such as the storage temperature or the species. Geometrically, deformations of cell membranes are common early events that initiate within minutes. On the other hand, topological relationships between cellular features appear to remain intact for more extended periods. Taken together, there is an uncertain period of time, usually ranging from several hours to several days, over which cell membrane structure is progressively lost. This review may be helpful for investigators studying human postmortem brain tissue, wherein the PMI is an unavoidable aspect of the research.

Early Biologic Treatment Decreases Risk of Surgery in Crohn's Disease but not in Ulcerative Colitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to long-term complications that significantly impact patients' quality of life and healthcare resource utilization. Prior studies have demonstrated improved short-term outcomes to early exposure of biologics in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) but not in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, there are conflicting data on impact of early intervention on longer-term adverse events. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the impact of early biologic treatment on rates of IBD-related surgery. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in April 2022. Studies were included if biologic initiation was compared between patients starting early (<3 years of diagnosis or top-down treatment) vs later (>3 years of diagnosis or step-up treatment). Studies with <1 year of follow-up were excluded. The outcomes were colectomy and CD-related surgery for patients with UC and CD, respectively. Random-effects analyses were conducted to compare rates of IBD surgery between early and late biologic treatment. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies included patients with UC and 15 studies included patients with CD. In patients with CD, early biologic therapy was associated with lower odds of surgery (odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.84) compared with late treatment. Conversely, in patients with UC, the odds of colectomy were increased (odds ratio, 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-6.30). CONCLUSIONS: Early biologic treatment is associated with lower rates of surgery in patients with CD. In contrast, early biologic therapy appears to be associated with higher rates of colectomy in patients with UC, which may be confounded by disease severity.

The Use of Telemedicine in Outpatient Pain Management: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine is an increasingly important tool in outpatient pain management. Telemedicine can be implemented through various strategies and a multitude of approaches have been described in existing literature. OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to survey how telemedicine has been approached in published literature, providing insight for continued implementation. STUDY DESIGN: Scoping review. SETTING: Outpatient pain management. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE and Embase databases were queried. Two board-certified pain management physicians screened search results for relevant publications based on predetermined criteria. Included publications focused on outpatient pain management via live video or telephone and reported empirical outcomes. Publications were excluded that focused on acute pain, progressive muscle relaxation, physical therapy, or psychiatry, including cognitive behavioral therapy, or that primarily described educational modules, apps, mobile tracking, or automated calls. Nonfull publications (abstracts) and articles not available in English were also excluded. A third reviewer performed full-text screening, extracting variables of interest. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were excluded from final selection. RESULTS: Text and abstract screening of 3,302 results yielded 88 publications. Upon full-text screening, 64 additional publications were excluded, yielding 24 publications. High-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were described in 5 (21%) publications, pilot RCTs in 4 (17%), prospective studies in 1 (4%), retrospective studies in 5 (21%), survey-based studies in 7 (29%), and other types of studies in 2 (8%). Cancer pain was the focus of 3 (13%) studies, headache/facial pain the focus of 4 (17%), musculoskeletal the focus of 3 (13%), and unspecified chronic pain the focus of 14 (58%). Patient experiences were the focus of 18 (75%) publications, provider experiences the focus of 2 (8%), and both patient and provider experiences the focus of 4 (17%). Outcome improvement measures were studied in 17 (71%) publications, process improvement measures in 5 (21%), and both types of measures in 2 (8%). Standard visits without on-site support were described in 4 (17%) publications, while standard visits with on-site support were described in 9 (38%). The remaining 11 (46%) described structured/integrated pain management programs. Positive pain-related outcomes were reported in 9 (38%) studies. Increased access or decreased barriers to care were reported in 9 (38%). Patient satisfaction was reported in 12 (50%) publications, with 10 (42%) describing positive results. LIMITATIONS: This scoping review focused on telemedicine delivered via telephone or live video communication, excluding a substantial body of literature focused on virtual courses, modules, and other telehealth programs not involving live communication. CONCLUSIONS: Current literature describes telemedicine implementation with various levels of technological and logistical support. Models of telemedicine represented in current literature include: standard visits with on-site support, standard visits without on-site support, and structured/integrated pain management programs. Presently, no literature has directly compared outcomes from these different approaches. Choice of model will depend on the specific goals and available resources. Patient satisfaction was studied most frequently and generally demonstrated positive results. Though current literature is heterogeneous and lacks RCTs, it consistently demonstrates benefits of telemedicine to patient satisfaction, pain, and access to care.