Current medical research and opinion
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparative effectiveness of antibiotics for the treatment of MRSA complicated skin and soft tissue infections.
With a growing number of studies and comparators in MRSA skin infections, a unified framework for comparing treatments is needed for health technology assessment (HTA). The objective was to systematically assess the success rates of common antimicrobial agents for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) caused by MRSA. ⋯ The results of this meta-analysis suggest higher success rates for linezolid and the new glycopeptides (dalbavancin and telavancin) in MRSA-confirmed cSSTIs. The uncertainty margins reflect the study limitations including number of cases and indirect nature of the comparisons. This example of Bayesian meta-analysis for MRSA cSSTI provides a potential framework for comparisons that is useful for HTA and formulary decision-making.
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Although the choice of starting insulin for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often a basal or premix insulin analog, there is little evidence to base this decision on. This analysis aimed to determine if measurable clinical characteristics prior to starting insulin could predict differences in improved glycemic control between these options. ⋯ Premix analog rather than basal insulin may be an appropriate choice to target HbA(1c) values in older individuals and those with higher bedtime PG, while basal insulin may be more appropriate to target FPG in patients with lower BMI and higher post-breakfast PG.
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Meta Analysis
Efficacy of intranasal fentanyl spray versus other opioids for breakthrough pain in cancer.
To compare the efficacy of intranasal fentanyl spray (INFS), oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC), fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT) and oral morphine (OM) for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP). ⋯ Based on currently available evidence, INFS is expected to provide the greatest improvement in the treatment of BTCP. Due to its slow onset to effect OM cannot be considered an efficacious treatment for BTCP.
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Meta Analysis
Efficacy of vitamin D3 supplementation in preventing fractures in elderly women: a meta-analysis.
The efficacy of vitamin D(3) in preventing fractures and falls has been explored in a number of clinical trials. However, recent evidence revealed new questions about the adequate doses of vitamin D(3) supplementation and its efficacy in fracture prevention independent of calcium supplements for various types of fractures. ⋯ This meta-analysis supports the use of vitamin D3 of 800 IU daily to reduce the incidence of osteoporotic non-vertebral, hip, and non-vertebral-non-hip fractures in elderly women. Vitamin D(3) with calcium appears to achieve benefits above those attained with calcium supplementation alone for non-vertebral and non-vertebral-non-hip fractures.
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To evaluate the clinical and microbiological outcomes of linezolid versus vancomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) complicated skin and soft-tissue infection (cSSTI) using a meta-analysis. ⋯ Resolution of infection in CE and MITT patients were inconsistent; however, a sub-analysis revealed that linezolid was more likely to consistently achieve microbiologic eradication in MRSA ME patients. Apparent risks of thrombocytopenia, nausea, diarrhea, and possibly anemia may limit linezolid use in treating MRSA cSSTI. This study was limited due to an inability to assess for the effects of hetero-resistance and appropriate vancomycin dosing on outcomes. Moreover, the small number of studies made controlling for heterogeneity challenging.