European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
Review Meta AnalysisThe association between bilirubin concentrations and inflammatory bowel disease: Insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), poses a significant challenge to health care systems because of its chronic nature and increasing global prevalence. Effective management of IBD requires accurate diagnostic tools and biomarkers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between bilirubin concentrations and IBD activity and outcomes. ⋯ This study supports the potential utility of bilirubin as a biomarker in IBD, emphasizing the need for further research to validate its clinical significance.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
Review Meta AnalysisAssociation of MASLD with the risk of extrahepatic cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 cohort studies.
Numerous recent studies have explored the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of various extrahepatic cancers. However, the conclusions were inconclusive. The aim of this study was to clarify this relationship by conducting a robust meta-analysis. ⋯ This latest large-scale meta-analysis indicated that MASLD was associated with an increased risk of various extrahepatic cancers, such as gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, biliary duct, thyroid, urinary system, breast, skin and female genital cancers. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
Meta AnalysisUsefulness of the C2HEST score to predict new onset atrial fibrillation. A systematic review and meta-analysis on >11 million subjects.
The incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is increasing in the last decades. NOAF is associated with worse long-term prognosis. The C2HEST score has been recently proposed to stratify the risk of NOAF. Pooled data on the performance of the C2HEST score are lacking. ⋯ The C2HEST score may be used to predict NOAF in primary and secondary prevention patients, and in patients across different countries. Early detection of NOAF may aid prompt initiation of management and follow-up, potentially leading to a reduction of AF-related complications.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2024
Review Meta AnalysisAssociation between blood Pentraxin-3 concentrations and rheumatic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Among the Pentraxins, the long Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) is associated with several processes, particularly in the earliest phases of the innate humoral response. Increased blood PTX-3 concentrations have been observed in a wide range of conditions, from infectious to cardiovascular disorders. Since its increase is more rapid than C-reactive protein (CRP), PTX-3 can be useful to detect and monitor early inflammation. To dissect its pathophysiological role in rheumatic diseases (RD), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing blood PTX-3 concentrations in RD patients and healthy individuals and investigating possible associations with clinical, demographic, and study characteristics. ⋯ Our study has shown a significant increase in blood PTX-3 concentrations in RD patients, which was associated with specific patient characteristics. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to better define the utility of measuring PTX-3 in the early phase of RD. Our study was conducted in compliance with the PRISMA 2020 statement (study protocol available at PROSPERO CRD42024516600).
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2024
Review Meta AnalysisEffect of adding PCSK9 inhibitors to lipid-lowering interventions on arterial stiffness: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of mortality, necessitates effective management of hypercholesterolemia, specifically elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The emergence of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) has revolutionised lipid-lowering. PCSK9i demonstrates substantial LDL-C reduction and cardiovascular benefits, particularly in statin-intolerant or nonresponsive individuals. However, the potential pleiotropic effects of PCSK9i, especially on arterial stiffness, remain a subject of investigation. This systematic review and meta-analysis seek to provide a nuanced understanding of the potential pleiotropic effects of PCSK9i, specifically on arterial health. The primary objective was to analyse the influence of PCSK9i on arterial stiffness, extending beyond traditional lipid-lowering metrics and contributing to a more comprehensive approach to cardiovascular risk reduction. ⋯ The meta-analysis provides robust evidence that adding PCSK9i to lipid-lowering interventions significantly improves arterial stiffness, indicating broader vascular benefits beyond LDL-C reduction.