Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Review Meta Analysis
Peripheral venous and arterial blood gas analysis in adults: are they comparable? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Peripheral venous blood gas (PVBG) analysis is increasingly being used as a substitute for arterial blood sampling; however, comparability has not been clearly established. To determine if the pH, PCO2 and PO2 obtained from PVBG analysis is comparable with arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. A search was conducted of electronic databases as well as hand-searching of journals and reference lists through December 2012 to identify studies comparing PVBG with ABG analysis in adult subjects. ⋯ The PO2 values compared poorly, the arterial PO2 typically 36.9 mm Hg greater than the venous with significant variability (95% confidence interval from 27.2 to 46.6 mm Hg). PVBG analysis compares well with ABG analysis for pH estimations in adults but not to the PCO2 or PO2. These differences are sufficiently large to be of clinical significance.
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Review Meta Analysis
Lack of efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the lower limbs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a meta-analysis.
Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were carried out to investigate the role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, these studies have small sample size and different measures for evaluating outcomes, and convey inconclusive results. We carried out a meta-analysis to assess the effects of NMES to COPD patients. ⋯ NMES significantly improved dyspnoea (WMD -0.98 scores; 95% CI: -1.42- -0.54). Evidence to support the benefits of NMES to COPD patients is currently inadequate. Larger-scale studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of NMES.
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Meta Analysis
Obstructive sleep apnoea and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
There has been increasing recognition that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with incident type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the severity of OSA and the risk of type 2 diabetes by performing a meta-analysis of all available prospective cohort studies. ⋯ This meta-analysis indicates that moderate-severe OSA is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and this appears to be an independent risk factor for the development of diabetes.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparison of tiotropium plus formoterol to tiotropium alone in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis.
It is not clear whether combination therapy with tiotropium plus formoterol has greater efficacy, without increasing the burden of adverse events, compared with tiotropium alone. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the differences in efficacy and adverse events associated with combination therapy compared with tiotropium alone, in patients with stable COPD. ⋯ Tiotropium plus formoterol significantly improved lung function and symptom scores compared with tiotropium alone. There was a trend towards a reduction in adverse events, although the difference was not statistically significant. Long-term trials are necessary to evaluate the effects of tiotropium plus formoterol and to clarify the role of combination therapy, compared with tiotropium alone.
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Meta Analysis
Diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen in malignant pleural effusion: a meta-analysis.
Conventional tests are not always helpful in making a diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Many studies have investigated the utility of pleural carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the early diagnosis of MPE. The present meta-analysis determined the accuracy of CEA measurement in the diagnosis of MPE. ⋯ Measurement of pleural CEA is likely to be a useful diagnostic tool for confirming MPE, and is also helpful in the differential diagnosis between malignant pleural mesothelioma and metastatic lung cancer. The results of CEA assays should be interpreted in parallel with clinical findings and the results of conventional tests.