Noncontrast MRI for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - A Potential Surveillance Tool?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This meta-analysis investigates the diagnostic performance of non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A systematic review was performed to May 2020 for studies which examined the diagnostic performance of non-contrast MRI (multi-sequence or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)- alone) for HCC detection in high risk patients. The primary outcome was accuracy for the detection of HCC. Random effects models were used to pool outcomes for sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR) and negative LR. Subgroup analyses for cirrhosis and size of the lesion were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included involving 1685 patients for per-patient analysis and 2128 lesions for per-lesion analysis. Multi-sequence non-contrast MRI (NC-MRI) using T2+DWI±T1 sequences had a pooled per-patient sensitivity of 86.8% (95%CI:83.9-89.4%), specificity of 90.3% (95%CI:87.3-92.7%), and negative LR of 0.17 (95%CI:0.14-0.20). DWI-only MRI (DW-MRI) had a pooled sensitivity of 79.2% (95%CI:71.8-85.4%), specificity of 96.5% (95%CI:94.3-98.1%) and negative LR of 0.24 (95%CI:1.62-0.34). In patients with cirrhosis, NC-MRI had a pooled per-patient sensitivity of 87.3% (95%CI:82.7-91.0%) and specificity of 81.6% (95%CI:75.3-86.8%), whilst DWI-MRI had a pooled sensitivity of 71.4% (95%CI:60.5-80.8%) and specificity of 97.1% (95%CI:91.9-99.4%). For lesions <2 cm, the pooled per-lesion sensitivity was 77.1% (95%CI:73.8-80.2%). For lesions >2 cm, pooled per-lesion sensitivity was 88.5% (95%CI:85.0-91.5%). CONCLUSION: Non-contrast MRI has a moderate negative LR and high specificity with acceptable sensitivity for the detection of HCC, even in patients with cirrhosis and with lesions <2 cm. Prospective trials to validate if non-contrast MRI can be used for HCC surveillance is warranted.

Selective internal radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A 15-year multicenter Australian cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The exact place for selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in the therapeutic algorithm for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is debated. There are limited data on its indications, efficacy, and safety in Australia. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing SIRT for HCC in all Sydney hospitals between 2005 and 2019. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were progression-free survival and adverse events. RESULTS: During the study period, 156 patients underwent SIRT across 10 institutions (mean age 67 years, 81% male). SIRT use progressively increased from 2005 (n = 2), peaking in 2017 (n = 42) before declining (2019: n = 21). Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages at treatment were A (13%), B (33%), C (52%), and D (2%). Forty-four (28%) patients had tumor thrombus. After a median follow-up of 13.9 months, there were 117 deaths. Median overall survival was 15 months (95% confidence interval 11-19). Independent predictors of mortality on multivariable analysis were extent of liver involvement, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, baseline ascites, alpha fetoprotein, and model for end-stage liver disease score. Median progression-free survival was 6.0 months (95% confidence interval 5.1-6.9 months). Following SIRT, 11% of patients were downstaged to curative therapy. SIRT-related complications occurred in 17%: radioembolization-induced liver disease (11%), pneumonitis (3%), gastrointestinal ulceration, and cholecystitis (1% each). Baseline ascites predicted for radioembolization-induced liver disease. CONCLUSION: We present the largest Australian SIRT cohort for HCC. We have identified several factors associated with a poor outcome following SIRT. Patients with early-stage disease had the best survival with some being downstaged to curative therapy.

MRI detection of suspected nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic biopsy is recommended for diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A proportion of lesions are hidden from endoscopic view but detected with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the diagnostic performance of MRI for detection of NPC. METHODS: An electronic search of twelve databases and registries was performed. Studies were included if they compared the diagnostic accuracy of MRI to a reference standard (histopathology) in patients suspected of having NPC. The primary outcome was accuracy for detection of NPC. Random-effects models were used to pool outcomes for sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR). Bias and applicability were assessed using the modified QUADAS-2 tool. RESULTS: Nine studies were included involving 1736 patients of whom 337 were diagnosed with NPC. MRI demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 98.1% (95% CI 95.2-99.3%), specificity of 91.7% (95% CI 88.3-94.2%), negative LR of 0.02 (95% CI 0.01-0.05), and positive LR of 11.9 (95% CI 8.35-16.81) for detection of NPC. Most studies were performed in regions where NPC is endemic, and there was a risk of selection bias due to inclusion of retrospective studies and one case-control study. There was limited reporting of study randomization strategy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that MRI has a high pooled sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value for detection of NPC. MRI may be useful for lesion detection prior to endoscopic biopsy and aid the decision to avoid biopsy in patients with a low post-test probability of disease.

Survival outcomes for surgical resection versus CT-guided percutaneous ablation for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple cohort studies have compared surgical resection with CT-guided percutaneous ablation for patients with stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the results have been heterogeneous. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare surgery with ablation for stage 1 NSCLC. METHOD: A search of five databases was performed from inception to 5 July 2020. Studies were included if overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and/or disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between patients treated with surgical resection versus ablation (radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA)) for stage 1 NSCLC. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of eight studies were included (total 792 patients: 460 resection and 332 ablation). There were no significant differences in 1- to 5-year OS or CSS between surgery versus ablation. There were significantly better 1- and 2-year DFS for surgery over ablation (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.14-4.34; OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.21-5.57 respectively), but not 3- to 5-year DFS. Subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant OS difference between lobectomy and MWA, but there were significantly better 1- and 2-year OS with sublobar resection (wedge resection or segmentectomy) versus RFA (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.33-6.10; OR 4.54, 95% CI 2.51-8.21, respectively). In the two studies which only included patients with stage 1A NSCLC, pooled outcomes demonstrated no significant differences in 1- to 3-year OS or DFS between surgery versus ablation. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection of stage 1 NSCLC remains the optimal choice. However, for non-surgical patients with stage 1A, ablation offers promising DFS, CSS, and OS. Future prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted. KEY POINTS: • Surgical resection of stage 1 NSCLC remains the optimal choice. • In patients with stage 1A NSCLC who are not surgical candidates, CT-guided microwave or radiofrequency ablation may be an alternative which offers promising disease-free survival and overall survival.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Thyroid Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painful nodules, sinus tracts, and significant scarring. Although the pathogenesis of this disease is not well established, there is increasing evidence to suggest that it is an immune-mediated disorder. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between HS and thyroid disease, which is also driven by an autoimmune process. We sought to assess whether an association exists between HS and thyroid disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether HS is associated with thyroid disease via meta-analysis of case-control studies. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to recommended PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were performed using 6 electronic databases from their inception until August 2018. Data were extracted and analyzed according to predefined clinical endpoints. Odds ratio (OR) was used as the summary effect size. RESULTS: We identified 5 case-controls studies included for meta-analysis. There were a total of 36 103 HS cases compared with 170 517 control cases. We found a significant association between HS and thyroid disease (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.13-1.64, I 2 = 78%, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: This pooled analysis of existing case-control studies to date supports an association between HS and any thyroid disease. Clinicians treating patients with HS should be aware of this potential association with thyroid disease.

Survival outcome of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in the context of human papillomavirus (HPV): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess whether HPV-positive TSCC had better survival and prognosis rates, when compared to HPV-negative TSCC. METHOD: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed comparing HPV status in TSCC patients. TSCC was confirmed with histopathology and HPV status was confirmed with PCR, immunohistochemistry and/or in-situ-hybridisation. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were identified, involving 1921 TSCC cases, of which 56.2% (1079) were HPV positive. OS was significantly higher in patients with HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative TSCC in years 1-5 (OR 2.54, P < 0.01; OR 2.93 P < 0.01; OR 2.74 P < 0.01; OR 2.20 P < 0.01, and OR 2.14 P < 0.01 respectively). Similarly, DFS was also significantly higher in patients with HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative TSCC in years 1-3 (OR 2.86, P < 0.01; OR 2.60 P < 0.02; and OR 2.60 P < 0.01 respectively), which was attenuated in years 4 and 5 (OR 1.83, P = 0.10 and OR 1.50, P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: This is the largest meta-analysis with 1921 patients, comparing non-HPV induced TSCC and HPV induced TSCC, looking at outcome and survival. HPV-positive had better OS and DFS.

Evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) density as a prognostic factor for percutaneous ablation of pulmonary colorectal metastases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) density and other clinicopathological factors for percutaneous ablation of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer. METHODS: CEA density was calculated as: "absolute serum CEA pre-ablation/volume of all lung metastases [mm3]". Median CEA density was the cut-off for high and low groups. Cox-regression was used to determine prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients (102 ablation sessions) were followed for a median of 27 months. High CEA density was significantly associated with worse overall survival compared to low CEA density (adjusted HR: 2.12; 95 % CI: 1.22-3.70, p=0.002; median survival: 25.7 vs. 44.3 months). The interval between primary resection of the colorectal carcinoma and first ablation was also a prognostic factor, a duration >24 months being associated with better survival compared to a shorter interval (0-24 months) (adjusted HR: 0.55; 95 % CI: 0.31-0.98, p=0.04). Moreover, a disease-free interval >24 months was significantly associated with low CEA density compared to a shorter interval (0-24 months) (adjusted OR: 0.29; 95 % CI: 0.11-0.77, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CEA density and interval between primary resection of a colorectal carcinoma and pulmonary ablation are independent prognostic factors for overall survival. In two patients with identical CEA serum levels, the patient with the lower/smaller pulmonary tumour load would have a worse prognosis than the one with the higher/larger pulmonary metastases. KEY POINTS: • CEA density is an independent prognostic factor for colorectal pulmonary metastases. • A lower CEA density is associated with better overall survival. • CEA may play a functional role in tumour progression. • High CEA density is associated with smaller tumours. • Interval between pulmonary ablation and primary colorectal carcinoma is a prognostic factor.

The effects of behavioral and psychological symptoms on caregiver burden in frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Alzheimer's disease: clinical experience in China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Caregivers of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia (DLB), and Alzheimer's disease (AD), experience high levels of psychological and physical stress, likely due to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This study is the first to simultaneously evaluate the effects of BPSD on caregiver burden in these three types of dementia. METHOD: A total of 214 dementia patients, including probable FTD (n = 82), DLB (n = 22), and AD (n = 110), as well as their primary caregivers, were assessed using psychological inventories and cognitive evaluation. The FTD group was further divided into the three established clinical variants: behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD, n = 51), non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA, n = 15), and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA, n = 16). Cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Clock Drawing Test, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), respectively. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI). RESULTS: FTD patients had higher NPI and ZBI scores than DLB and AD patients, whose scores were similar. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors influencing caregiver burden for each group were: FTD: total NPI scores, agitation, and aberrant motor behavior; bvFTD: total NPI scores; DLB: total NPI scores; and AD: total NPI scores, onset age, apathy, and ADL. Caregivers of bvFTD patients had the highest levels of burden, which were significantly greater than for caregivers of nfvPPA, svPPA, DLB, and AD patients. CONCLUSION: BPSD was highly correlated with emotional burden in caregivers of FTD, DLB, and AD patients. The highest burden was observed in bvFTD caregivers.

Impacts of Preoperative Serum Albumin Level on Outcomes of Cytoreductive Surgery and Perioperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Only few small studies in the literature have explored the impacts of preoperative serum albumin level and clinical outcomes of patients with peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM) who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC). This study aimed to evaluate the value of preoperative serum albumin as a prognostic factor for long-term survival outcomes after CRS and PIC in a large patient cohort and to determine whether preoperative serum albumin is correlated with perioperative complications. METHODS: This retrospective study examined prospectively collected data for patients with PSM who underwent CRS and PIC by one surgical team at St George Hospital in Sydney, Australia. The study used 35 g/L as the cuffoff for normal serum albumin level. RESULTS: The study enrolled 591 patients. Hypoalbuminemia was found to be associated with a significantly higher rate of major morbidity (p < 0.001), a longer ICU stay (p = 0.003), a longer HDU stay (p < 0.001), a longer total hospital stay (p < 0.001), and a shorter overall survival (OS) (p = 0.016). Factor analysis showed preoperative serum hypoalbuminemia to be a prognostic factor for a poor perioperative outcome (p = 0.018) and a poor OS (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Preoperative hypoalbuminemia is associated with poor perioperative outcomes. More importantly, it is a predictor of poorer OS for patients with PSM independent of the PCI, age, and completeness of cytoreduction. In the future, strategies should be undertaken to improve preoperative nutrition of malnourished patients as a means of improving clinical outcomes for patients with PSM.

Elevated Total Homocysteine Levels in Acute Ischemic Stroke Are Associated With Long-Term Mortality.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Total homocysteine (tHcy) levels are associated with secondary vascular events and mortality after stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate whether tHcy levels in the acute phase of a stroke contribute to the recurrence of cerebro-cardiovascular events and mortality. METHODS: A total of 3799 patients were recruited after hospital admission for acute ischemic stroke. Levels of tHcy were measured within 24 hours after primary admission. Patients were followed for a median of 48 months. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 233 (6.1%) patients died. After adjustment for age, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, and other cardiovascular risk factors, patients in the highest tHcy quartile (>18.6 µmol/L) had a 1.61-fold increased risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.53) compared with patients in the lowest quartile (≤10 µmol/L). Further subgroup analysis showed that this correlation was only significant in the large-artery atherosclerosis stroke subtype (adjusted HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.05-3.07); this correlation was not significant in the small-vessel occlusion subtype (adjusted HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.30-2.12). The risk of stroke-related mortality was 2.27-fold higher for patients in the third tHcy quartile (adjusted HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.06-4.86) and 2.15-fold more likely for patients in the fourth quartile (adjusted HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.01-4.63) than for patients in the lowest tHcy quartile. The risk of cardiovascular-related mortality and the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke were not associated with tHcy levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that elevated tHcy levels in the acute phase of an ischemic stroke can predict mortality, especially in stroke patients with the large-vessel atherosclerosis subtype.

Polymorphisms of the neurotrophic factor-3 (NTF-3) in Alzheimer's disease: rs6332 associated with onset time and rs6489630 T allele exhibited a protective role.

Because of its implications in neuroprotection, formation of long lasting memories and a disturbed function in Alzheimer's disease (AD), neurotrophin-3 (NTF-3) may represent an appropriate candidate gene conferring risk to AD. Recently, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs6489630 and rs6332) within the NTF-3 gene have been associated with AD in a Japanese population. Because of the importance of this finding, we analyzed the NTF-3 polymorphism in a Han Chinese sample consisting of 138 AD patients and 115 age-matched normal controls (NCs). In ApoE-ɛ4 non-carriers, a negative gene dose-association was found between the A allele of rs6332 and the onset time of AD. Individuals homozygous for the A allele developed AD significantly earlier than those homozygous for the G allele (mean age ± SD: 63.72 ± 9.08 versus 69.75 ± 6.03, p = 0.023). Moreover, in male subjects, we found the rs6489630 T allele to be protective against AD (OR 0.494; 95% CI 0.274-0.891; p value = 0.018) compared to C allele carriers. Due to a small number of patients showing homozygosity for the T allele in rs6489630 (n = 5), all of which were normal subjects, the result needs to be confirmed in a larger sample. The results suggest a gene dose-association between the A allele of rs6332 and the onset of AD in ɛ4 non-carriers, as well as the NTF-3 rs6489630 polymorphism being a relevant risk factor for AD in patients lacking the ApoE-ɛ4 allele in this Chinese sample.

Clinical and neuroimaging characterization of Chinese dementia patients with PSEN1 and PSEN2 mutations.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two common forms of primary neurodegenerative dementia. Mutations in 3 genes (PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP) have been identified in patients with early-onset AD. METHODS: We performed gene sequencing in PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP in 61 AD and 35 FTD Chinese patients. Amyloid load using (11)C-labeled Pittsburgh compound B ((11)C-PIB) positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebral glucose metabolism using (18)F-fludeoxyglucose PET were evaluated in patients carrying mutations. RESULTS: We identified 1 known pathogenic PSEN1 (p.His163Arg, c.488A>G) mutation and 3 novel PSEN2 mutations in 6 patients. The novel mutation PSEN2 (p.His169Asn, c.505C>A) was identified in 1 patient with familial late-onset AD and in 1 sporadic FTD patient. The PSEN2 (p.Val214Leu, c.640G>T; p.Lys82Arg, c.245A>G) mutations were identified in 2 early-onset AD patients and 1 early-onset AD patient, respectively. Three patients with PSEN2 mutations were observed to have PIB retention on the cortex and striatum. One patient with the FTD phenotype was not observed to have PIB retention. CONCLUSION: PSEN2 mutations are common in the Chinese Han population with a history of AD and FTD. Pathogenic mutations or risk variants in the PSEN2 gene can influence both FTD and AD phenotypic traits and show variations in neuroimaging characterization.

Prevalence of dementia and main subtypes in rural northern China.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this article was to estimate the prevalence of and to determine the sociodemographic risk factors for dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) among individuals residing in rural northern China. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2012, residents aged ≥60 years and residing in rural areas of northern China were clinically assessed for symptoms of dementia, AD and VaD. Diagnoses were made using established criteria and standard procedures. RESULTS: Among 5,578 enrolled study participants aged ≥60 years, the prevalence rates of dementia, AD and VaD were 7.7, 5.4 and 1.7%, respectively. Older age (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.14-1.19) and female gender (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.51-3.00) were identified as independent risk factors for AD. In turn, a higher educational level (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.21-0.60) and engagement in social activities (OR = 0.219; 95% CI: 0.163-0.295) were protective factors. Risk factors associated with VaD were older age (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.1-1.12) and hypertension (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.18-2.86), while a higher educational level (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.44-0.65) and engagement in social activities (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.29-0.41) were protective factors. CONCLUSION: High rates of dementia (7.7%) and AD (5.4%) were found in the rural areas of northern China. Older age and female gender were identified as risk factors for AD, while older age and hypertension were risk factors for VaD. A higher educational level and engagement in social activities were identified as protective factors against both AD and VaD.

Microwave Ablation Compared to Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatic Lesions: A Meta-Analysis.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of microwave (MW) ablation compared with radiofrequency (RF) ablation for hepatic lesions by using meta-analytic techniques. Overall, 16 studies involving 2,062 patients were included. MW ablation was found to have significantly better 6-year overall survival than RF ablation (odds ratio, 1.64, 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.35), but this was based on a few articles (n = 3 of 16). MW ablation and RF ablation had similar 1-5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence rate, and adverse events. Based on similar safety and efficacy outcomes, either MW ablation or RF ablation may be used for effective local hepatic therapy.

Comprehensive analysis of patient and caregiver predictors for caregiver burden, anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's disease.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to examine the correlations between patient and caregiver characteristics with caregiver burden, anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's Disease. Secondary aim was to determine which behavioural and psychological symptoms had the greatest impact on caregiver burden, anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's Disease. BACKGROUND: Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease experience high levels of burden, both psychologically and physically. Previous studies have examined caregiver burden, anxiety and depression separately. However, no paper has examined these three psychological conditions simultaneously. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design. METHODS: A total of 310 patients with probable Alzheimer's Disease and their primary caregivers were assessed. Cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Clock Drawing Test and Neuropsychiatric Inventory, respectively. Caregiver burden, anxiety and depression were assessed with the ZBI, Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. RESULTS: All 12 neuropsychiatric symptoms in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory were significantly correlated with caregiver burden, anxiety and depression, with the top three neuropsychiatric predictors being depression, apathy and anxiety. Furthermore, higher levels of caregiver anxiety were associated with a longer duration of being a caregiver. Within caregivers, higher levels of depression were independently associated with higher numbers of additional caregivers, lower educational background and being the spouse of the patient. Higher levels of burden were associated with a longer duration of being a caregiver and being the spouse of the patient. Caregiver burden, anxiety or depression were not significantly correlated with hours/day of caring for the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Caregiver burden, anxiety and depression were significantly correlated with different neuropsychiatric symptoms in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Practitioners are able to identify caregivers at risk for burden, anxiety and depression. Understanding which Neuropsychiatric Inventory symptom is more closely associated with distress in caregivers will help practitioners to be more specific and effective in detecting caregiver distress.

CTP for the Screening of Vasospasm and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Aneurysmal SAH: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Delayed cerebral ischemia and vasospasm are the most common causes of late morbidity following aneurysmal SAH, but their diagnosis remains challenging. PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the diagnostic performance of CTP for detection of delayed cerebral ischemia and vasospasm in the setting of aneurysmal SAH. DATA SOURCES: Studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of CTP in the setting of aneurysmal SAH were searched on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, Cochrane Methodology Register, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, American College of Physicians Journal Club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Health Technology Assessment, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, PubMed, and Google Scholar from their inception to September 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Thirty studies were included, encompassing 1786 patients with aneurysmal SAH and 2302 CTP studies. Studies were included if they compared the diagnostic accuracy of CTP with a reference standard (clinical or radiologic delayed cerebral ischemia, angiographic spasm) for the detection of delayed cerebral ischemia or vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal SAH. The primary outcome was accuracy for the detection of delayed cerebral ischemia or vasospasm. DATA ANALYSIS: Bivariate random effects models were used to pool outcomes for sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio. Subgroup analyses for individual CTP parameters and early-versus-late study timing were performed. Bias and applicability were assessed using the modified QUADAS-2 tool. DATA SYNTHESIS: For assessment of delayed cerebral ischemia, CTP demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 82.1% (95% CI, 74.5%-87.8%), specificity of 79.6% (95% CI, 73.0%-84.9%), positive likelihood ratio of 4.01 (95% CI, 2.94-5.47), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.23 (95% CI, 0.12-0.33). For assessment of vasospasm, CTP showed a pooled sensitivity of 85.6% (95% CI, 74.2%-92.5%), specificity of 87.9% (95% CI, 79.2%-93.3%), positive likelihood ratio of 7.10 (95% CI, 3.87-13.04), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.16 (95% CI, 0.09-0.31). LIMITATIONS: QUADAS-2 assessment identified 12 articles with low risk, 11 with moderate risk, and 7 with a high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: For delayed cerebral ischemia, CTP had a sensitivity of >80%, specificity of >75%, and a low negative likelihood ratio of 0.23. CTP had better performance for the detection of vasospasm, with sensitivity and specificity of >85% and a low negative likelihood ratio of 0.16. Although the accuracy offers the potential for CTP to be used in limited clinical contexts, standardization of CTP techniques and high-quality randomized trials evaluating its impact are required.

Apolipoprotein Ε Îµ4 frequency is increased among Chinese patients with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The relationship between the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 genotype and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been well established in Caucasians but is less established among other ethnicities. ApoE ε4 has also been associated with several other neurological disorders. Whether ApoΕ4 ε4 is a risk factor for frontotemporal dementia (FTD) remains controversial. This study examined 432 patients with AD, 62 with FTD, and 381 sex- and age-matched controls. The ApoE ε4 allele frequency was significantly increased among patients in the AD and FTD groups compared with controls. The frequency of the ApoΕ Îµ4 allele was 24.86% in late-onset AD (p < 0.01), 18.02% in early-onset AD (p < 0.01), 16.13% in FTD (p < 0.01), and 7.34% in controls. ApoΕ Îµ4 prevalence was similar in the FTD and AD groups. The present study suggests that the ApoE ε4 allele is a risk factor for both disorders.

Prevalence and clinical predictors of cognitive impairment in individuals aged 80 years and older in rural China.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) in individuals aged 80 years and over in rural China and to analyze the associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted a two-phase door-to-door survey of a population in rural Ji County (China). The reference population consisted of individuals aged 80 years or older. A total of 723 individuals were interviewed in their homes, and demographic variables and comorbidities were recorded. Diagnoses were divided into the following 3 categories: normal cognitive function, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), and dementia. The odds ratio for each risk factor was calculated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of CI among individuals aged 80 years and older was 73.2% (47.4% CIND and 25.7% dementia). The risk of CI decreased with a higher level of education and a higher level of social involvement. The risk of CI was higher in females than in males and among people with a history of stroke (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The observed raw prevalence of CI was 73.2%. Female gender and a history of a previous stroke increased the risk of CI, while a higher educational level and engagement in social activities reduced the risk of CI.