J Formos Med Assoc
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparative safety and effectiveness of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: A network meta-analysis.
The introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), with a non-inferior or superior clinical efficacy profile compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), has significantly improved the safety profile and treatment adherence of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, few studies have compared the effectiveness and safety of NOACs. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare the safety and clinical effectiveness of NOACs and VKAs in patients with non-valvular AF. ⋯ Our meta-analysis confirms that dabigatran's real-world safety and clinical effectiveness align with the results of pivotal clinical trials.
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This review aimed to investigate the effect of crew ratios of on-scene advanced life support (ALS)-trained personnel on patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ Prehospital ALS care with a ratio of on-scene ALS-trained personnel >50 % could improve OHCA patient outcomes than crew ratios ≤50 %. Further studies are required to reach a robust conclusion.
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This review summarizes the current evidence in systematic reviews, meta-analysis and randomized controlled trials regarding adenotonsillectomy outcomes in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Adenotonsillectomy is effective in treating OSA in children without co-morbidities, despite postoperative residual OSA remained in roughly half of these children. ⋯ For other OSA-related outcomes, evidence from meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials confirm adenotonsillectomy results in improvement of subjective OSA-related outcomes (e.g. symptoms, behaviors, and quality of life), but the results in objective OSA-related outcomes (e.g. cardiometabolic parameters or neurocognitive functions) are inconsistent. Future studies should focus on randomized controlled trials comparing objective OSA-related outcomes and the long-term effects of adenotonsillectomy in children with OSA.
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Multicenter Study
Lower heart rate variability is associated with loss of muscle mass and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Chinese adults.
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders may occur in skeletal muscle disease, but the link between them has not been fully established. Studying the relationship between them may yield insights into the mechanisms and treatment of disease. This study aimed to explore the association between heart rate variability (HRV), sarcopenia, and subscales of sarcopenia (muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical mobility). ⋯ Sarcopenia was independently associated with lower heart rate variability in a community-dwelling elderly Chinese population. In addition, muscle mass was positively associated with heart rate variability in the elderly.