Irish journal of medical science
-
To assess clinical efficacy and safety of liraglutide combined with metformin (LMT) in obese patients with type 2 diabetes (ODP) by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ This review will offer insights for future research and provide reference for LMT treatment for ODP.
-
Healthcare systems have increasingly limited and stretched budgets. Clinicians have a key role in budget allocation. Awareness of the costs of high-use clinical items is important. ⋯ We demonstrate variable and limited levels of cost awareness. Seniority and better self-perceived knowledge were not found to be associated with better estimate accuracy.
-
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates inflammatory response and CD4+ T cell differentiation in autoimmune diseases, while its clinical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lacks sufficient evidence. Subsequently, this study intended to explore the vertical change of PCSK9, and its linkage with T helper (Th) cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, clinical features, and treatment outcomes in RA patients. ⋯ Circulating PCSK9 shows the potency as a biomarker for disease management and treatment outcome prediction of csDMARDs in RA.
-
There are biological distinctions between gastric cancers from Eastern and Western nations, and therapeutic strategies may differ regionally. Perioperative chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) have all been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of gastric cancer. The goal of this study was to do a meta-analysis of published studies that were eligible to see if adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was helpful for gastric cancer based on the cancer's histology. ⋯ After D2 dissection, adjuvant CRT improved DFS in patients with intestinal-type gastric cancers but not in those with diffuse-type gastric cancers.
-
The COVID-19 pandemic saw the migration of many physiotherapy-led group exercise programmes towards online platforms. This online survey aimed to ascertain the patients' views of online group exercise programmes (OGEP), including their satisfaction with various aspects of these programmes, the advantages and disadvantages and usefulness beyond the pandemic. ⋯ Patients expressed high satisfaction rates overall with online classes, but would value more opportunities for social interaction. Although 50% of respondents would choose in-person classes in the future, offering both online and in-person classes beyond the pandemic may help to suit the needs of all patients and improve attendance and adherence.