Annals of medicine
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BACKGROUND. NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis (SS) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The natural history of NAFLD and the optimal strategy to identify subjects with progressive liver disease are unclear. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS. NAFLD warrants screening for cardio-metabolic risk and for progressive liver disease. The combination of three noninvasive tests with LB may optimally individuate patients with NASH, with or without advanced fibrosis.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis to grass and tree pollens in daily medical practice-symptom load with sublingual immunotherapy compared to subcutaneous immunotherapy.
Abstract Background. Despite strong evidence for subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, comparative data are scarce. Objectives. ⋯ Conclusion. The effectiveness of sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy with pollen extracts appeared virtually equal in daily medical routine. Due to the advantageous safety profile, the sublingual application may be favorable.
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Meta Analysis
Does self-monitoring reduce blood pressure? Meta-analysis with meta-regression of randomized controlled trials.
Self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is an increasingly common part of hypertension management. The objectives of this systematic review were to evaluate the systolic and diastolic BP reduction, and achievement of target BP, associated with self-monitoring. ⋯ Self-monitoring reduces blood pressure by a small but significant amount. Meta-regression could only account for part of the observed heterogeneity.
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Meta Analysis
Effects of intensive glucose control on incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.
The effects of intensive glucose control over conventional glucose control on cardiovascular outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes remain uncertain. ⋯ An intensive glucose control strategy can effectively reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events but at the expense of a significantly increased risk of severe hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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Meta Analysis
Effects of thyroid hormone suppression therapy on adverse clinical outcomes in thyroid cancer.
Long-term thyroid hormone (TH) therapy aiming at the suppression of serum thyrotropin (TSH) has been traditionally used in the management of well differentiated thyroid cancer (ThyrCa). However, formal validation of the effects of thyroid hormone suppression therapy (THST) through randomized controlled trials is lacking. Additionally, the role - if any - of TSH effect at low ambient concentrations upon human thyroid tumorigenesis remains unclear. ⋯ THST appears justified in ThyrCa patients following initial therapy. As most primary studies were imperfect, future research will better define the effect of THST upon ThyrCa clinical outcomes.