scholarly journals The Effects of Nonpharmacological Treatment on Uremic Pruritus Patients: A Systematic Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiu-Feng Wu ◽  
Ya-Chu Hsiao ◽  
Pi-Chen Ko
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Uremic Pruritus ◽  
Jadad Scale ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
Nonpharmacological Treatments

Background. Around 50–90% of hemodialysis patients develop pruritus. Although studies examining nonpharmacological treatments for itchy skin have been conducted, the conclusions have not been decisive. Purpose. Through a systematic review of the literature, this study aimed to understand nonpharmacological interventions carried out in clinical trials for uremic pruritus and to evaluate and consolidate the information regarding these improvements and their effectiveness. Methods. A literature search focusing on studies published between January 2004 and December 2013 was conducted from 5 electronic databases. After screening based on inclusion criteria and excluding duplicates, nonpharmacological treatments examined in randomized clinical trials were selected for further analysis and synthesis. A modified Jadad scale was used to evaluate the quality of the identified articles. Results. Seven nonpharmacological studies met the inclusion criteria. The interventions to improve uremic pruritus included using emollients, phototherapy, acupuncture, and thermal therapy. Research showed that using emollients, phototherapy, and acupuncture significantly reduces uremic pruritus. Conclusion. Nonpharmacological interventions are effective for hemodialysis patients with pruritus. Emollients were found to provide the most relief compared to the other methods and constitute a readily available and cost-effective intervention to improve pruritus symptoms.

Efficacy of acupuncture in the management of fatigue related to breast cancer antineoplastic treatment: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-272
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Moraes Costa ◽  
Alena Peixoto Medrado
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Antineoplastic Treatment

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Similar to chemotherapy, antineoplastic treatment is associated with many side effects, with fatigue being one of the most common. It is important to investigate potential treatments, especially non-pharmacological alternatives, to control symptoms that directly affect women’s quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide scientific evidence to verify the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of fatigue in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This study involved a systematic review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. Randomized clinical trials published in indexed scientific journals were compiled. The literature search was performed using the electronic databases, PubMed, PEDro, and BIREME, using the descriptors ‘breast cancer’, ‘fatigue’, ‘acupuncture’, and ‘randomized trial’. Inclusion criteria included fully available online articles that were classified as randomised clinical trials published from 2012 to 2017 in either English or Portuguese. Study eligibility was based on the Population, Intervention, Control, Outcome, and Study (PICO) design criteria, in which the (1) population included women 18–65 years of age with breast cancer, (2) intervention was acupuncture, (3) comparison referred to standard care or sham acupuncture, and (4) outcome was the evaluation of fatigue. The PEDro scale was applied to evaluate the quality of the studies. WebQualis was also used to evaluate the quality of the journals of the selected articles. RESULTS: In total, 66 articles were selected, but only four fulfilled all inclusion criteria, giving a total sample size of 620 women. All trials evaluated the effect of acupuncture on fatigue and other symptoms related to the treatment of breast cancer with different treatment durations. Three articles reported statistically significant results, and all articles described clinical improvement in fatigue after the application of acupuncture. The average PEDro score of the manuscripts was 6.25. All articles were published in non-Brazilian journals with WebQualis scores that ranged from B2 to A1. CONCLUSION: Scientific evidence confirms the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of fatigue reported by women with breast cancer. Acupuncture was effective in reducing fatigue in the studies selected for this review.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials on Safety and Efficacy of Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Sacchetti ◽  
Flavio Mantelli ◽  
Daniela Merlo ◽  
Alessandro Lambiase
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Nonpharmacological Treatments

Aims.Several treatments have been proposed to slow down progression of Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a hereditary retinal degenerative condition leading to severe visual impairment. The aim of this study is to systematically review data from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating safety and efficacy of medical interventions for the treatment of RP.Methods.Randomized clinical trials on medical treatments for syndromic and nonsyndromic RP published up to December 2014 were included in the review. Visual acuity, visual field, electroretinogram, and adverse events were used as outcome measures.Results.The 19 RCTs included in this systematic review included trials on hyperbaric oxygen delivery, topical brimonidine tartrate, vitamins, docosahexaenoic acid, gangliosides, lutein, oral nilvadipine, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and valproic acid. All treatments proved safe but did not show significant benefit on visual function. Long term supplementation with vitamin A showed a significantly slower decline rate in electroretinogram amplitude.Conclusions.Although all medical treatments for RP appear safe, evidence emerging from RCTs is limited since they do not present comparable results suitable for quantitative statistical analysis. The limited number of RCTs, the poor clinical results, and the heterogeneity among studies negatively influence the strength of recommendations for the long term management of RP patients.

Effects of hesperidin consumption on cardiovascular risk biomarkers: a systematic review of animal studies and human randomized clinical trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 845-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Pla-Pagà ◽  
J Companys ◽  
L Calderón-Pérez ◽  
E Llauradó ◽  
R Solà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Risk Biomarkers

Abstract Context The cardioprotective effects of the flavonoid hesperidin, which is present in citrus products, are controversial and unclear. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2015 guidelines. Objective To evaluate the current evidence from animal and human clinical studies and thus determine whether the consumption of hesperidin exerts beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Data sources PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study Design) criteria defined the research question. Searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Plus databases were conducted and studies that met the inclusion criteria and were published in English in the last 15 years were included. Data extraction The first author, year of publication, study design, characteristics of animals and humans, intervention groups, dose of hesperidin, route of administration, duration of the intervention, cardiovascular risk biomarkers assessed, and results observed were extracted from the included articles. Results A total of 12 animal studies and 11 randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. In the animal studies, the glucose, total and LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decreased with chronic flavonoid consumption. In the human studies, endothelial function improved with flavonoid consumption, whereas no conclusive results were observed for the other biomarkers. Conclusions Animal studies have revealed that hesperidin and hesperetin consumption reduces glucose levels and various lipid profile parameters. However, a definitive conclusion cannot be drawn from the existing human clinical trials. Further research is needed to confirm whether the findings observed in animal models can also be observed in humans. Systematic Review Registration Prospero registration number CRD42018088942.

scholarly journals Probiotics in the treatment of chronic kidney disease: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Aparecida Bandeira Fagundes ◽  
Taís Fátima Soder ◽  
Kamila Castro Grokoski ◽  
Fábia Benetti ◽  
Roberta Hack Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Renal Function ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Progressive Reduction ◽  
Positive Effects

ABSTRACT Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a syndrome caused by the progressive reduction of renal function. This study aimed to systematically examine the effects of supplementation with probiotics in the treatment of CKD. Searches were carried out on databases MEDLINE (PubMed), SciELO, Cochrane, and Clinical Trials. Two independent reviewers selected the studies from which data was extracted. The search included papers written in English and Portuguese published in the 2012-2016 period describing randomized clinical trials. Eight of the 82 eligible articles met the inclusion criteria. Sample size ranged from 18 to 101 individuals with CKD. The duration of the included studies varied from four to 24 weeks. Most of the included articles reported positive effects in renal function and decreased levels of urea, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia, plasma p-cresol, p-cresyl sulfate, and indoxyl sulfate.

scholarly journals Diferentes técnicas para o tratamento de dentes com rizogênese incompleta e necrose pulpar: uma revisão sistemática

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-150
Author(s):  
Camila Borba ◽  
Cíntia Jacobsen ◽  
Guilherme Pauletto ◽  
Carina Michelon ◽  
Mariana De Carlo Bello
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Irrigation Solution ◽  
Rate Of Success

Introduction: The objective of this systematic review was to compare the apexification techniques of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), with the pulp regeneration technique, using cohort studies, and non-randomized and randomized clinical trials. Methods: The methodology was based on electronic research in the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SciELO, and LILACS. In addition, a manual search was carried out using the references that were listed in the articles found. Results: A total of 403 potentially eligible studies were found, with seven being included in the inclusion criteria of this systematic review. The seven studies involved a total of 312 teeth. The minimum time of a follow-up period was 12 months. The irrigation solution most used was sodium hypochlorite, for both of the apexification and revascularization techniques. The medication commonly chosen in the apexification groups was Ca(OH)2, with antibiotic triple paste in the revascularization groups. The clinical rate of success in the groups treated with revascularization varied from 76% to 100%, while in the groups treated with apexification, it ranged from 68% to 100%. Only two studies reached a success rate equal to 100%. Conclusions: Variable levels of evidence were observed in relation to the treatments. However, it was confirmed that revascularization is an excellent option since its outcomes produced a greater gain of thickness and root length, besides developing a decrease in the apical foramen.

scholarly journals Comparison of Two Routes of Administration of Dexamethasone to Reduce the Postoperative Sequelae After Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Troiano ◽  
Luigi Laino ◽  
Marco Cicciù ◽  
Gabriele Cervino ◽  
Luca Fiorillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Third Molar ◽  
Third Molar Surgery ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Routes Of Administration ◽  
Third Molar Extraction ◽  
Oral Site

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the clinical efficacy of two routes of dexamethasone administration in reducing the postoperative sequelae after third molar extraction. Electronic databases (PUBMED, SCOPUS and EBSCO library) were screened in order to find both randomized and non-randomized clinical trials that directly compare the submucosal intraoral or the intramuscular extraoral administration of dexamethasone. No restriction about year of publication was imposed. About 340 titles and abstracts were screened independently by two authors. Of these [340 titles], only 4 randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. No statistical differences in postoperative pain, swelling and trismus were recorded comparing the intraoral submucosal and the extraoral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone in an extra-oral site.

L-arginine effect on inflammatory mediators: A systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Reza Mirhafez ◽  
Mitra Hariri
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Human Adults ◽  
Factor Α

Abstract. L-arginine is an important factor in several physiological and biochemical processes. Recently, scientists studied L-arginine effect on inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). We conducted a systematic review on randomized controlled trials assessing L-arginine effect on inflammatory mediators. We searched data bases including Google scholar, ISI web of science, SCOPUS, and PubMed/Medline up to April 2019. Randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of L-arginine on inflammatory mediators in human adults were included. Our search retrieved eleven articles with 387 participants. Five articles were on patients with cancer and 6 articles were on adults without cancer. L-arginine was applied in enteral form in 5 articles and in oral form in 6 articles. Eight articles were on both genders, two articles were on women, and one article was on men. L-arginine could not reduce inflammatory mediators among patients with and without cancer except one article which indicated that taking L-arginine for 6 months decreased IL-6 among cardiopathic nondiabetic patients. Our results indicated that L-arginine might not be able to reduce selected inflammatory mediators, but for making a firm decision more studies are needed to be conducted with longer intervention duration, separately on male and female and with different doses of L-arginine.

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