Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Nov 2021
Review Meta AnalysisA systematic review and meta-analysis of the characteristics and outcomes of readmitted COVID-19 survivors.
The objective of the present study is to investigate the incidence, characteristics and outcomes of patients who were readmitted to hospital emergency departments or required re-hospitalisation following an index hospitalisation with a diagnosis of COVID-19. A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE and pre-print websites was conducted between 1 January and 31 December 2020. Studies reporting on the incidence, characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 who represent or require hospital admission were included. ⋯ Intensive care admission rates were similar between the two groups; 12.8% (22/172) of readmitted patients died. In summary, readmitted patients following an index hospitalisation for COVID-19 were more commonly males with multiple comorbidities. Shorter initial hospital LOS and unresolved primary illness may have contributed to readmission.
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Internal medicine journal · Sep 2021
Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Ciprofloxacin in Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients.
No antibiotic therapies have been approved for reducing exacerbations and preventing disease progression in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients. Several recent clinical studies have investigated the feasibility of inhaled ciprofloxacin in NCFB, whereas the results were controversial. ⋯ Ciprofloxacin inhalation treatment significantly prolonged the time to first exacerbation, reduced the frequency of exacerbations and decreased sputum P. aeruginosa density and was well tolerated. Ciprofloxacin inhalation is promising in the treatment of NCFB.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2021
Meta AnalysisFebuxostat as a renoprotective agent for treatment of hyperuricaemia: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
The objective of this meta-analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials (RCT) was to evaluate the effects of febuxostat on kidney function in patients with hyperuricaemia. ⋯ Treating hyperuricaemia with febuxostat may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease irrespective of baseline renal function without significantly associated increased risks of major cardiovascular events, diarrhoea, joint symptoms, arrhythmia and stroke, compared to placebo.
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Internal medicine journal · Apr 2021
Meta AnalysisDesmopressin acetate to prevent bleeding in percutaneous kidney biopsy: a systematic review.
Kidney biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing kidney disease but may result in bleeding, especially in uraemia. DDAVP (1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin) may reduce uraemic bleeding but guidelines on its use are lacking. ⋯ Currently available prospective data are insufficient to support the routine use of DDAVP prior to percutaneous kidney biopsies hence high quality trials are required.
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Internal medicine journal · Feb 2021
Meta AnalysisImmunosuppression as a risk factor for COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
While immunosuppression poses a theoretical increase in the risk of COVID-19, the nature of this relationship is yet to be ascertained. ⋯ Compared to the general population, immunosuppressed patients were not at significantly increased risk of COVID-19 infection. This finding provides support for current expert consensus statements, which have recommended the continuation of immunosuppressant therapy in the absence of COVID-19.