Outcomes of balloon vs basket catheter for clearance of choledocholithiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and study aims Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the mainstay for treatment of choledocholithiasis. It is unclear whether balloon or basket catheters are better for extraction of stones ≤ 10 mm in size. We performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing rates of complete stone extraction and adverse events after ERCP using balloon vs basket catheters for bile duct stones ≤ 10 mm in size. Methods Cochrane database, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to October 2021. Randomized control trials comparing outcomes of balloon vs basket catheter were included. Data extraction of articles was carried out by two authors using predefined inclusion criteria. Metanalysis was carried out using the Revman 5.4.1. software using a random-effects model. Results Three studies with a total of 508 patients were included in the final analysis. For common bile duct stones ≤ 10 mm, balloon catheters had higher complete stone clearance rates than basket catheters (relative risk 1.1, confidence interval 1.03, 1.18, P  = 0.006). Heterogeneity among studies was low (Tau 2  = 0.0; P  = 0.47, I 2  = 0 %). There was no difference in the rate of complications. Conclusions Meta-analysis of three studies indicates that balloon catheters have a higher success rate compared to basket catheters for complete stone extraction for choledocholithiasis ≤ 10 mm with no significant difference in the rate of complications.

Economic impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study at teaching hospital in South India.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease continues to be the important contribution toward disability, death, and burden in the costs of health care globally. Economic impact of COPD is attributed with substantial direct and indirect costs. COPD affects the productivity of work that poses a burden on the employers and also on individuals in terms of loss of pay, limitation of activities, and related disability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital-based cross-sectional study among 24 respondents in selected hospital in Udupi Taluk. Respondents were identified by purposive sampling technique and data were collected in respondent's mother tongue. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data related to patient's demographic status, disease history, and direct and indirect costs of COPD. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 15. RESULTS: The mean total direct medical cost that was observed among 24 respondents was Rs. 29,885 ± 11,995.33 and the mean total direct nonmedical cost was Rs. 7,441.25 ± 2,228.90. The mean total direct medical costs of COPD patients with comorbidity were Rs. 28,148.2353 ± 2,578.01580 and for those without comorbid illness was Rs. 13,460.0000 ± 1,255.33528. The observed mean absenteeism in the past 28 days was 193.50 ± 33.62 h. The mean absolute presenteeism of respondents is 72.05 ± 7.55. CONCLUSIONS: The major drivers of the total cost were cost of hospitalizations and medication costs. Acknowledging the costs and economic impact of COPD is therefore extremely important in the management of COPD and in reducing the mortality and morbidity related to COPD and in improving adherence to treatment.