Internal medicine journal
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Internal medicine journal · Dec 2020
Meta AnalysisRenin-angiotensin system inhibition and risk of infection and mortality in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, enters human cells by binding of its viral protein to the aminopeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This has led to speculation whether treatment with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors was associated with an increased likelihood of a positive test for COVID-19 and risk of mortality. ⋯ Use of ACEI or ARB was not associated with a heightened susceptibility for a positive diagnosis of COVID-19. Furthermore, they were not associated with increased illness severity or mortality due to COVID-19. Randomised controlled trials are needed to address definitively the potential benefits or harms of RAS inhibitors in patients with COVID-19.
-
Internal medicine journal · Jul 2020
Meta AnalysisIncident atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
There are controversial data regarding the relationship between bariatric surgery and atrial fibrillation (AF). This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate (i) the incidence and (ii) the risk of AF in patients following bariatric surgery. ⋯ The overall estimated incidence of AF following bariatric surgery was 5.3%. Our study demonstrates a significant beneficial association between bariatric surgery and AF, with a 0.42-fold decreased risk of AF. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm the potential benefits of bariatric surgery on risk of AF.