Panminerva medica
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Meta Analysis
Effect of metformin use on the risk and prognosis of ovarian cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
Emerging evidence suggests that metformin has a potential antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo. Increasing epidemiological studies indicate that diabetic patients receiving metformin therapy have lower incidences of cancer and have better survival rates. However, there are limited and inconsistent studies available about the effect of metformin therapy on ovarian cancer (OC). Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to study the effect of metformin therapy on OC. Meanwhile, we systematically reviewed relevant studies to provide a framework for future research. ⋯ The use of metformin can potentially reduce the risk of OC among diabetics, and it also can significantly improve PFS and OS in patients with OC. A further large clinical investigation would be needed to adopt our finding in practice, however, our systematic review provides an insight for future study designs.
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Meta Analysis
Efficacy of statin therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2008-2019.
Statins produce significant hypolipidemic effects and reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has been reported that statins did not prevent the acute exacerbation of COPD or improve clinical outcomes. Therefore, we analyzed the actual therapeutic effects of statins on COPD therapy during long-term clinical trials. ⋯ Clinical trials conducted over a 10-year period revealed beneficial advantages of statin therapy in COPD patients, permitting increased exercise capacity, FEV1/FVC and HDL. In addition, CRP, IL-6, systolic blood pressure, SGRQ scores and CAT were significantly decreased as well as lipid levels.
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Meta Analysis
Metabolic syndrome and risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that metabolic syndrome is associated with cancer pathogenesis. In particular regarding prostate cancer, observational studies from various settings report different results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a quantitative estimate of the association between metabolic syndrome in prostate cancer, in particular Gleason Score >6, accounting for different study designs. ⋯ Growing evidence support the association between metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer, bias derived from observational studies might conceal further findings.
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The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the data currently available regarding the repurposing of different drugs for COVID-19 treatment. Participants with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 were included in this study. The interventions that have been considered were repurposed drugs and comparators that included standard of care treatment or placebo. ⋯ Due to the paucity in evidence, it is difficult to establish the efficacy of these drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 as currently there is no significant clinical effectiveness of the repurposed drugs. Further large clinical trials are required to achieve more reliable findings. A risk-benefit analysis is required on an individual basis to weigh out the potential improvement in clinical outcome and viral load reduction compared to the risks of the adverse events.
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Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatic steatosis with inflammation, ballooned hepatocytes and possible fibrosis, which may progress to liver cirrhosis. Although liver biopsy, remains the diagnostic gold standard of NASH, several noninvasive biomarkers have been studied, to avoid the need for this invasive procedure. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of several noninvasive biomarkers in predicting NASH and assessing liver fibrosis in NASH patients. ⋯ FIB-4 predicted NASH and quantified liver fibrosis, stages 0 vs. 1-4 more precisely compared to NFS, APRI, and BARD. However, considering that methodological quality of the assessed studies is limited, the results should be considered with caution.