BMJ open
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Hypertension is the leading cardiovascular risk factor globally, associated with a high morbidity and mortality. The high prevalence of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is associated with contrastingly low awareness, treatment and control rates. Adherence to medication remains a major determinant of optimal blood pressure control. This systematic review aims to determine the prevalence, and factors associated with adherence to antihypertensive pharmacotherapy among patients with hypertension in SSA. ⋯ CRD42017079838.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparison of new-generation drug-eluting stents versus drug-coated balloon for in-stent restenosis: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
The study sought to compare angiographic and clinical outcomes of new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) versus drug-coated balloon (DCB) in patients with coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR). ⋯ Interventions with new-generation DES appear to be associated with significant reduction in per cent diameter stenosis and TLR at short-term follow-up, but had similar MACE, myocardial infarction and cardiac death for patients with coronary ISR compared with DCB. Appropriately powered studies with longer term follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings.
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Meta Analysis
Thread embedding acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.
Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is a special type of acupuncture that inserts certain medical threads (eg, catgut or polydioxanone) into subcutaneous tissue or muscles at specific points. Although TEA has been widely used for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain in Korea, China and Taiwan, evidence regarding its efficacy is lacking. The aim of this protocol is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TEA in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. ⋯ CRD42015019046.
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Major depression is a leading cause of disability and has been associated with adverse effects in older persons. While many pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have been shown to be effective to address major depression in older persons, there has not been a meta-analysis that consolidates all the available interventions and compare the relative benefits of these available interventions. In this study, we aim to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and acceptability of all the known pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for major depression in older persons. ⋯ CRD42017075756.
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Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) affects 4 to 28.9/100 000 people worldwide, and antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are the firstline treatment options. However, the efficacy and safety of other antiepileptic drugs remain unclear due to insufficient direct comparisons. ⋯ CRD42016048640.