BioMed research international
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting multiple organ systems that runs an unpredictable course and may present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Advances in treatment over the last decades, such as use of corticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressive drugs, have improved life expectancy of SLE sufferers. Unfortunately, in many cases effective management of SLE is still related to severe drug-induced toxicity and contributes to organ function deterioration and infective complications, particularly among patients with refractory disease and/or lupus nephritis. ⋯ It seems that they may enhance the therapeutic efficacy when combined with standard therapies. These efforts raise the hope that novel drugs for patients with refractory SLE may be available in the near future. This article reviews the current biological therapies being tested in the treatment of SLE.
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Meta Analysis
Reevaluating the Role of Corticosteroids in Septic Shock: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
What Is Known and Objective. To reevaluate the benefits and risks of corticosteroid treatment in adult patients with septic shock. Methods. ⋯ What Is New and Conclusion. Corticosteroids are likely to be effective in reducing 28-day mortality and attenuating septic shock without increasing the rate of life-threatening complications. TSA showed that the risk of type II error in this meta-analysis was minimal and the result was conclusive.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
High-Flow Nasal Cannula and Mandibular Advancement Bite Block Decrease Hypoxic Events during Sedative Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
During sedated endoscopic examinations, upper airway obstruction occurs. Nasal breathing often shifts to oral breathing during open mouth esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) which delivers humidified 100% oxygen at 30 L min-1 may prevent hypoxemia. ⋯ The HFNC and MA bite block may both reduce degree and duration of hypoxemia. HFNC may decrease hypoxemic events while maintaining nasal patency is crucial during sedative EGD. The MA bite block may prevent airway obstruction and decrease the need for rescue intervention.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Steroid Injection Combined with Miniscalpel-Needle Release in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome vs. Steroid Injection Alone: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common nerve entrapment syndromes, which has a serious impact on patients' work and life. The most effective conservative treatment is steroid injection but its long-term efficacy is still not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of steroid injection combined with miniscalpel-needle (MSN) release for treatment of CTS under ultrasound guidance versus steroid injection alone. We hypothesized that combined therapy could be more beneficial. ⋯ The effectiveness of steroid injection combined with MSN release for CTS is superior to that of steroid injection alone, which may have important implications for future clinical practice. This Chinese clinical trial is registered with ChiCTR1800014530.
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Meta Analysis
Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in IPF Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods. Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP (CQVIP), Wanfang Data, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) were comprehensively searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of PR for IPF patients were included. Literature selection and data extraction were conducted by two review authors independently. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool and RevMan software (version 5.3) were used to evaluate the quality of studies and conduct statistical analysis, respectively. Results. Seven studies (190 participants) were included. PR had a significant effect on six-minute walk distance (6MWD) (MD:48.60; 95%CI: 29.03 to 68.18; Z=4.87, P<0.00001), and 6MWD was improved more in subgroup analysis including studies conducted in Asia (MD: 53.62; 95%CI: 30.48 to 76.66; Z=4.54, P<0.00001) and Europe (MD:54.10; 95% CI: 26.65 to 101.56; Z=2.23, P=0.03). Forced vital capacity (FVC%) was higher (MD: 3.69; 95%CI: 0.16 to 7.23; Z=2.05, P=0.04). St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)/IPF-specific SGRQ (SGRQ-I) total score was lower (MD: -7.87; 95% CI: -11.44 to -4.30; Z=4.32, P<0.0001). No significant effects were found for lung diffusing capacity determined by the single-breath technique (DLCO%) (MD: 3.02; 95%CI: -0.38 to 6.42; Z=1.74, P=0.08). ⋯ This study suggests that PR may enhance exercise capacity and improve quality of life in IPF patients. Besides, PR may also delay the decline of lung function of patients with IPF. However, further research should more fully assess the efficacy and safety of PR for IPF.