Clinics
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy, safety, and potential industry bias in using deoxycholic acid for submental fat reduction ‒ A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Lipolytic substance injections to reduce localized fat have been extensively used because it is a low-invasive method. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deoxycholic acid in submental fat reduction compared to a placebo and investigate the potential industry sponsorship bias in the results of randomized clinical trials on this topic. Ten electronic databases were extensively searched for randomized clinical trials without restriction on language and year of publication. ⋯ The meta-analysis showed that patients treated with deoxycholic acid had significant positive results for all efficacy outcomes and a higher risk of fibrosis, pain, erythema, numbness, swelling, edema, pruritus, nodules, headache, and paresthesia. The low to moderate certainty of evidence found allows concluding that deoxycholic acid is effective in submental fat reduction, causing well-tolerated adverse effects. However, all eligible studies showed a potential industry bias.
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy, safety, and potential industry bias in using deoxycholic acid for submental fat reduction ‒ A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Lipolytic substance injections to reduce localized fat have been extensively used because it is a low-invasive method. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deoxycholic acid in submental fat reduction compared to a placebo and investigate the potential industry sponsorship bias in the results of randomized clinical trials on this topic. Ten electronic databases were extensively searched for randomized clinical trials without restriction on language and year of publication. ⋯ The meta-analysis showed that patients treated with deoxycholic acid had significant positive results for all efficacy outcomes and a higher risk of fibrosis, pain, erythema, numbness, swelling, edema, pruritus, nodules, headache, and paresthesia. The low to moderate certainty of evidence found allows concluding that deoxycholic acid is effective in submental fat reduction, causing well-tolerated adverse effects. However, all eligible studies showed a potential industry bias.
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Biliary drainage for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma (PCCA) can be performed either by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD). To date there is no consensus about which method is preferred. Taking that into account, the aim of this study is to compare Endoscopic Biliary Drainage (EBD) versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma through a systematic review and metanalysis. ⋯ The EBD group presented reduced length of hospital stay (RD = -2.89; 95% CI -3.35 ‒ -2,43; p < 0.00001; I² = 42%). Considering palliative PCCA, the PTBD group demonstrated a higher clinical success (RD = -0.19; 95% CI -0.27 ‒ -0.11; p < 0.00001; I² = 0%) and less post-drainage cholangitis (RD = 0.08; 95% CI 0.01‒0.15; p = 0.02; I² = 48%) when compared to the EBD group. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding: technical success, post-drainage bleeding, major post-drainage complications, and seeding metastases.
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Biliary drainage for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma (PCCA) can be performed either by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD). To date there is no consensus about which method is preferred. Taking that into account, the aim of this study is to compare Endoscopic Biliary Drainage (EBD) versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma through a systematic review and metanalysis. ⋯ The EBD group presented reduced length of hospital stay (RD = -2.89; 95% CI -3.35 ‒ -2,43; p < 0.00001; I² = 42%). Considering palliative PCCA, the PTBD group demonstrated a higher clinical success (RD = -0.19; 95% CI -0.27 ‒ -0.11; p < 0.00001; I² = 0%) and less post-drainage cholangitis (RD = 0.08; 95% CI 0.01‒0.15; p = 0.02; I² = 48%) when compared to the EBD group. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding: technical success, post-drainage bleeding, major post-drainage complications, and seeding metastases.
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Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic performance of microRNA-29a in active pulmonary tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
In recent years, more and more studies have shown that microRNA-29a (miRNA-29a) can be used as a potential biomarker for active tuberculosis, but the results of these studies are not consistent. ⋯ miRNA-29a can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis.