Current medical research and opinion
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To examine the healthcare costs associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and the frequency and costs of events potentially related to colonoscopy among average-risk adults. ⋯ This study provides updated and more detailed information regarding the costs of CRC screening and potential colonoscopy events based on a comprehensive review of a robust claims dataset.
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Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are antidiabetic drugs with numerous pleiotropic and positive clinical effects, particularly regarding a reno-cardiovascular protective effect. More recent studies, including from our laboratory, have highlighted some novel anti-inflammatory activity of SGLT-2 inhibitors. ⋯ Furthermore, SGLT-2 inhibitors exhibit a favourable impact on the vascular endothelium function; this could pertinence the prophylaxis of the thrombotic issues that arise in SARS-CoV-2. This review provides an overview of the COVID-19 indirect immune response mechanisms impacting the cardiovascular system and the possible effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the management of COVID-19.
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Review Case Reports
Hyperglycemic hemichorea due to diabetic striatopathy: case-based review.
Diabetic Striatopathy (DS) is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) with poor glycemic control and typical neuroimaging findings. DS predominantly leads to a unilateral reversible injury of the basal ganglia resulting in various movement disorders such as hemichorea and hemibalismus. We present a rare case of DS with left-sided hemichorea as a first presentation for a newly diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus (DM) type II and to make a thorough review of this disorder and to provide a practical approach to its management. ⋯ The patient was managed with Insulin and Haloperidol as the symptoms entirely resolved on the tenth day. In conclusion (DS) is a condition with a good prognosis and reversible clinical and neuroimaging findings after a prompt diagnosis and management. DS should be considered a possible differential diagnosis in patients with abrupt onset of hyperkinetic movement disorders.
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The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for the use of progestin subdermal implants for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain symptoms and quality of life. ⋯ CRD42021225665.
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Meta Analysis
Conducting and critically appraising a high-quality systematic review and meta-analysis pertaining to COVID-19.
With constantly emerging new information regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), reviewing literature related to it has become increasingly complicated and resource-intensive. In the setting of this global pandemic, clinical decisions are being guided by the results of multiple pertinent studies; however, it has been observed that these studies are often heterogenous in design and population characteristics and results of initial trials may not be replicated in subsequent studies. The resulting clinical conundrum can be resolved by high-quality systematic review and meta-analysis with a robust and reliable methodology, encapsulating and critically appraising all the available literature relevant to the clinical scenario under scrutiny. ⋯ It can identify optimal diagnostic algorithms, assess efficacy of treatment strategies, and analyze inherent factors influencing the efficacy of treatment for COVID-19. The current review aims to provide a basic guide to plan and conduct a high-quality systematic review and meta-analysis pertaining to COVID-19, describing the main steps and addressing the pitfalls commonly encountered at each step. Knowledge of the basic steps would also allow the reader to critically appraise published systematic review and meta-analysis and the quality of evidence provided therein.