Objective To systematically review the effect of different nutrient interventions on the physical function of elderly people with frailty through network meta-analysis. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase and Web of Science were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials of different nutrient interventions on physical function of the elderly with frailty, from database inception to June 30, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed using ADDIS 1.16.8, GeMTC 14.3, and Stata 15.0 software. Results A total of 13 studies involving 1 144 patients were included. There was no statistically significant difference in handgrip strength, time up to go test, gait speed, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) among different nutrient interventions. Significant differences were not found in vitamin D+ whey protein (VDWP) vs. placebo and Leu vs. placebo in handgrip strength, or VDWP vs. placebo in SPPB. The probability ranking diagram showed that the most effective of handgrip strength, time up to go test, gait speed, and SPPB were milk protein concentrate (MPC80), L-carnitime (L-Car), leucine (Leu), and MPC80, respectively. Conclusion The current evidence suggests that nutritional intervention did not significantly improve physical function in the frail elderly. MPC80, Leu, L-Car, and VDVEWP may play a role in improving the physical function of frail elderly people. Nutritional support programs that increase the above nutrients, combined with exercise training may become a better way to improve the physical function of frail elderly.
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of dose-dense neoadjuvant chemotherapy (ddNACT) and conventional neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cNACT) for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing ddNACT regimen with cNACT regimen for breast cancer. The time limit for retrieval was from establishment to March 1st, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literatures, extracted data and assessed risk bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 15.0 software. Results A total of 13 RCTs were included, including 3 258 patients, of which 1 625 patients received ddNACT and 1 633 patients received cNACT. The results of meta-analysis showed that the ddNACT regimen could improve the pathological complete response rate (pCR, P<0.001), objective response rate (ORR, P<0.001), and disease free survival (DFS, P=0.037) as compared with the cNACT regimen, there was no significant difference in the overall survival (OS) between the two groups (P=0.098). The incidences of grade 3 or 4 oral stomatitis (P=0.005) and neurotoxicity (P<0.001) were higher and the incidence of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was lower (P=0.025) in the patients with ddNACT regimen, there were no significant differences in grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (P=0.152), grade 3 or 4 anemia (P=0.123), chemotherapy completion rate (P=0.161) and breast conservative surgery rate (P=0.186) between the two groups. Patients with hormone receptor (HR) negative (HR–) were more likely to get pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P<0.001). ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that the use of anthracycline/taxane-based ddNACT regimen in LABC patients can improve the pCR, ORR, and DFS as compared with cNACT regimen. The pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the patients with HR– is higher than that with HR+. Prophylactic use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor could significantly reduce the incidence of neutropenia, and most patients are tolerant to ddNACT regimen, 2 regimens have similar chemotherapy completion rates.
ObjectiveTo compare the cost and efficacy of ambulatory versus hospitalized surgery for lung tumor patients. MethodsTwo researchers independently conducted a computer search on February 14, 2025, in databases including CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang Database, with the search period covering from the inception of these databases to February 2025. The outcome indicators were postoperative complication rate, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization costs. For the included randomized controlled trials and non-randomized controlled trials, we used the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) respectively to evaluate the quality of the literature, and extracted data from the included studies for meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0 software. ResultsA total of 12 articles were ultimately included, all of which were evaluated as high-quality, consisting of 2 randomized controlled trials, 2 prospective cohort studies, and 8 retrospective cohort studies, involving a total of 76 403 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the ambulatory surgery group had advantages over the hospitalized surgery group in terms of operation time [MD=−21.07, 95%CI (−30.55, −11.58), P<0.001], length of hospital stay [MD=−2.17, 95%CI (−3.25, −1.09), P<0.001], hospitalization costs [SMD=−1.22, 95%CI (−2.18, −0.26), P=0.01], and overall postoperative complications [OR=0.48, 95%CI (0.32, 0.74), P<0.001]. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative hoarseness [OR=0.62, 95%CI (0.24, 1.61), P=0.33] and postoperative chylothorax [OR=0.27, 95%CI (0.07, 1.07), P=0.06]. ConclusionCompared to conventional hospitalized lung tumor resection, ambulatory lung tumor resection can significantly reduce the patient’s surgery and hospital stay time, decrease hospitalization costs, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. While improving hospital efficiency and reducing the economic burden on patients, it is worthy of further promotion and application.
Objective To systematically review the willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its influencing factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search on various databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP database, Wanfang data, China Biomedical Literature Service System, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase, covering the period from database inception to September 6th, 2023. We focused on studies that publicly reported data on the willingness to use PrEP and its influencing factors among MSM in China. The quality of included studies was assessed using the quality evaluation criteria recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 13.1 software were used to perform meta-analysis for the willingness to use PrEP and its influencing factors among MSM in China. Results A total of 24 cross-sectional studies with 19 influencing factors and a sample size of 16499 participants were included in the review. The results revealed a PrEP usage intention rate of 60.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) (51.8%, 68.9%)] among the MSM population in China. Factors such as awareness of PrEP [odds ratio (OR)=5.26, 95%CI (1.33, 20.82)], having heard of PrEP [OR=1.84, 95%CI (1.28, 2.64)], age<25 years [OR=1.92, 95%CI (1.34, 2.77)], being a student [OR=1.92, 95%CI (1.17, 3.16)], monthly income of 1000-3000 yuan [OR=1.36, 95%CI (1.12, 1.65)], history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing [OR=2.05, 95%CI (1.53, 2.74)], history of sexually transmitted infections [OR=1.75, 95%CI (1.27, 2.40)], seeking sexual partners online [OR=1.38, 95%CI (1.19, 1.59)], openness about sexual orientation [OR=1.90, 95%CI (1.27, 2.84)], having a non-local household registration [OR=1.66, 95%CI (1.37, 2.02)], and recommending PrEP to friends [OR=20.14, 95%CI (2.59, 156.91)] were identified as promoting factors for the willingness to use PrEP. Conversely, a homosexual orientation [OR=0.67, 95%CI (0.52, 0.85)] was identified as a barrier to the willingness to use PrEP. Conclusions Chinese MSM have a low intention to use PrEP, and there are many factors affecting the intention to use PrEP in MSM. In the future HIV prevention and control work, measures such as strengthening education and publicity of PrEP, providing a certain degree of support for PrEP costs, strengthening health education on campus, strengthening community organizations and support networks should be taken to promote the willingness of MSM to use PrEP.
Objective To evaluate the survival outcomes of segmentectomy versus lobectomy for T1c non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We searched PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Wanfang Data, with the search time limit set from the inception of the databases to February 2024. Three researchers independently screened the literature, extracted relevant information, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included literature according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 15.1. Results A total of 8 retrospective cohort studies were included, involving 7 433 patients. The NOS scores of the included studies were all ≥7 points. Patients who underwent lobectomy had significantly higher five-year overall survival (OS) rates compared to those who underwent segmentectomy (adjusted HR=1.11, 95%CI 0.99-1.24, P=0.042). Compared with lobectomy, segmentectomy showed no significant difference in adjusted three-year OS rate (adjusted HR=0.88, 95%CI 0.62-1.24) and adjusted five-year lung cancer-specific survival (adjusted HR=1.10, 95%CI 0.80-1.51, P=0.556) of patients with T1c NSCLC. Moreover, there were no differences in the five-year adjusted relapse-free survival (adjusted HR=1.23, 95%CI 0.82-1.85, P=0.319), and adverse events (OR=0.57, 95%CI 0.37-0.90, P=0.015) in the segmentectomy group were significantly less than those in the lobectomy group. Subgroup analysis based on whether patients received neoadjuvant therapy showed that among studies that excluded patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, no significant difference in 5-year adjusted OS rate was observed between the segmentectomy group and lobectomy group (adjusted HR=1.02, 95%CI 0.81-1.28, P=0.870). Conclusion Segmentectomy and lobectomy show no significant difference in long-term survival in stage T1c NSCLC patients, with segmentectomy associated with fewer postoperative complications. Further high-quality research is needed to confirm the comparative efficacy and safety of lobectomy and segmentectomy for T1c NSCLC patients.
Objective To evaluate the robustness of cardiovascular meta-analysis with use of fragility index. Methods By searching PubMed, EMbase, and Web of Science databases from 2018 to 2022, relevant literature on cardiovascular meta-analysis was systematically collected and the fragility indexes were calculated; Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between fragility index and sample size, total number of events, effect size and its confidence interval width. Results A total of 212 meta-analyses from 29 articles were included, with a median fragility index of 11 (5, 25), a median sample size of 10301 (3384, 48330), and a median total number of events of 360 (129, 1309). Most meta-analyses chose relative risk as the effect measure (179/212), and chose Mantel-Haenszel method (102/212) and random effects model (153/212). The fragility index was positively correlated with the sample size (rs=0.56, P<0.05) and the total number of events (rs=0.61, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with confidence interval width of the effect size (rs=−0.52, P<0.05). No statistically significant results were obtained in the correlation between the fragility index and effect size. Conclusion The fragility indexes of cardiovascular meta-analyses published in comprehensive journals of high impact factors and professional cardiovascular journals are generally low, and therefore lack robustness. Fragility index is suggested to be reported in medical researches, assisting in explaining the P-value.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of oral drugs for treating women with uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, WanFang Data, CNKI and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of oral drugs for treating females with uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection from inception to November, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies, then, network meta-analysis was performed by using " gemtc” packages in R 3.5.1 software.ResultsA total of 38 RCTs were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that: quinolones (RR=1.24, 95%CI 1.11 to 1.37), furantoin (RR=1.21, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.37), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) (RR=1.20, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.35), fosfomycin (RR=1.17, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.31) and penicillin (RR=1.18, 95%CI 1.05 to 1.33) were superior to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in clinical cure. Quinolones were better than fosfomycin (RR=1.07, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.12), penicillin (RR=1.18, 95%CI 1.13 to 1.23) and cephalosporin (RR=1.13, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.19); furantoin was better than penicillin (RR=1.15, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.21) and cephalosporin (RR=1.10, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.17); TMP-SMZ was better than penicillin (RR=1.15, 95%CI 1.09 to 1.21) and cephalosporin (RR=1.11, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.16); fosfomycin was better than penicillin (RR=1.10, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.16) in bacteriological cure. The adverse effect rates of quinolones were lower than furantoin (RR=0.83, 95%CI 0.70 to 0.98), TMP-SMZ (RR=0.88, 95%CI 0.78 to 0.99) and fosfomycin (RR=0.74, 95%CI 0.59 to 0.93), and which of fosfomycin was higher than penicillin (RR=1.33, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.74) and NSAIDS (RR=1.46, 95%CI 1.11 to 1.92). All differences were statistically significant.ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection should be recommended to therapy containing quinolones. Due to limited quality and quantity of included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness and safety of electromagnetic navigation-guided localization and CT-guided percutaneous localization for pulmonary nodules.MethodsThe literature published from the inception to January 2021 about the comparison between electromagnetic navigation-guided localization and CT-guided percutaneous localization for pulmonary nodules in the PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, Chinese Wanfang database and CNKI database was searched. RevMan (version 5.4) software was used for meta-analysis. Nonrandomized controlled trials were evaluated using methodological index for nonrandomized studies (MINORS).ResultsA total of six retrospective studies (567 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. MINORS scores of all studies were all 17 points and above. There were 317 patients in the CT-guided percutaneous localization group and 250 patients in the electromagnetic navigation-guided localization group. The complication rate of the CT-guided percutaneous localization group was significantly higher than that in the electromagnetic navigation-guided localization group (OR=11.08, 95%CI 3.35 to 36.65, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the success rate of localization (OR=0.48, 95%CI 0.16 to 1.48, P=0.20), localization time (MD=0.30, 95%CI –6.16 to 6.77, P=0.93) or nodule diameter (MD=–0.07, 95%CI –0.19 to 0.06, P=0.29) between the two groups.ConclusionElectromagnetic navigation can be used as an effective preoperative positioning method for pulmonary nodules, which has the advantage of lower complication rate compared with the traditional CT positioning method.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of four risk scoring systems for cardiovascular complications during pregnancy in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). MethodsComputer searches were conducted in PubMed, EMbase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc (CBM). Relevant studies on risk scoring systems for cardiovascular complications during pregnancy in CHD patients at home and abroad were comprehensively collected. The retrieval period was from the establishment of the databases to January 1, 2025, and the retrieval was updated on March 26, 2025. After two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted the data, the quality assessment was carried out, and Meta-analysis was performed using MedCalc software. ResultsA total of 11 studies were included, with a total of 4 987 patients. The incidence of cardiovascular complications during pregnancy in CHD patients ranged from 6.72% to 28.84%. The QUADAS-2 scoring tool results showed that two studies had a risk of bias, and nine studies were determined to have a high risk of bias. The results of the Meta-analysis showed that the CARPREGⅠ score [AUC=0.709, 95%CI (0.672, 0.745), P<0.001], CARPREGⅡ score [AUC=0.757, 95%CI (0.720, 0.794), P<0.001], ZAHARA score [AUC=0.732, 95%CI (0.674, 0.790), P<0.001], and mWHO classification system [AUC=0.681, 95%CI (0.617, 0.745), P<0.001] could independently predict cardiovascular complications during pregnancy in CHD patients. ConclusionThe existing evidence indicates that all four scoring systems can be used to predict cardiovascular complications during pregnancy in CHD patients. Although the CARPREGⅡ score has the highest accuracy, the number of included studies is small. It is recommended to give priority to using the ZAHARA score for risk stratification and pregnancy management of women with CHD before pregnancy. In view of the limitations of the quality of the included studies, this study needs to be further confirmed by high-quality studies.
ObjevtiveThe morbidity of intensive care unit-acquired swallowing disorder (ICU-ASD) was clarified through meta-analysis by synthesizing previous evidence, in order to provide an evidence-based basis for early identification and intervention of ICU-ASD. Methods A computerized search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CHINAL, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database was conducted to retrieve the relevant literature on the morbidity of ICU-ASD published in China and abroad from the database establiment to December 2022. Considering the quality of the included literature, the Chinese database excluded master's theses and non-core journals. Meta-analysis of morbidity was performed using Stata 12.0. Results A total of 19 papers, including 4291 patients, were included. Meta-analysis showed that the overall morbidity of ICU-ASD was 36% [95% confidential interval (CI) 26% - 46%; I2=97.62%, P<0.01]. Subgroup analyses showed that the morbidity of ICU-ASD in Asian, European, South American, and North American was 39% (95%CI 28% - 50%), 23% (95%CI 8% - 44%), 52% (95%CI 46% - 57%), and 39% (95%CI 20% - 61%), respectively; and that the morbidity of male and female ICU-ASD was 36% (95%CI 24% - 48%) and 33% (95%CI 22% - 45%), respectively; the morbidity of ICU-ASD was 41% (95%CI 30% - 52%) and 31% (95%CI 18% - 44%) in the patients with and without hypertension, respectively; the morbidity of ICU-ASD was 58% (95%CI 42% - 73%) and 51% (95%CI 36% - 66%) in the patients with and without respiratory disease respectively; the morbidity of ICU-ASD in the patients with and without diabetes mellitus was 37% (95%CI 24% - 51%) and 39% (95%CI 28% - 51%), respectively; the morbidity of ICU-ASD in the patients with and without renal disease was 40% (95%CI 23% - 59%) and 35% (95%CI 24% - 46%), respectively; the morbidity of ICU-ASD in the patients with intubation caliber ≤7.5 mm and >7.5 mm was 31% (95%CI 19% - 45%) and 37% (95%CI 22% - 54%), respectively; the morbidity of ICU-ASD in the patients with and without heart failure was 58% (95%CI 30% - 84%) and 36% (95%CI 23% - 51%), respectively; and the morbidity of ICU-ASD in patients with and without arrhythmia was 36% (95%CI 11% - 65%) and 31% (95%CI 21% - 42%), respectively; the morbidity of ICU-ASD in the patients with and without neurologic disease was 48% (95%CI 24% - 72%) and 34% (95%CI 15% - 57%), respectively. Begg's test P<0.05, Egger's test P<0.05, suggesting publication bias in the study, and the cut-and-patch method corrected for an overall incidence result of 27% (95%CI 18% - 36%). Conclusions Meta-analysis reveals an overall morbidity of 36% for ICU-ASD and 27% for the cut-and-patch correction. Subgroup analysis reveals that the morbidity of ICU-ASD is significantly higher in patients with hypertension, heart failure, and neurological disorders than in patients without these disorders. Current evidence suggests that the prevalence of ICU-ASD is high and needs to be taken seriously. Timely screening and assessment of swallowing disorders is recommended for intensive care unit patients, especially those with hypertension, heart failure, and neurological disorders.