| 1. |
- Tsartsalis, Athanasios N., et al.
(författare)
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Bone Metabolism Markers in Thalassemia Major-Induced Osteoporosis: Results from a Cross-Sectional Observational Study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Current molecular medicine. - : BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBL LTD. - 1566-5240 .- 1875-5666. ; 19:5, s. 335-341
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Thalassemia major (TM) patients eventually face many new health conditions, including endocrinopathies and low bone mineral density, usually observed in the aging general population. Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the biomarkers of bone remodeling in TM patients and to compare them with both osteoporotic and healthy population, in order to investigate the new therapeutic paths. Methods: Sixty-four patients with TM (32 men and 32 women) participated in the study. The patients were evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and with markers of bone remodeling including receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), and sclerostin. Results were compared with those from 12 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and 12 women with normal bone mineral density. Results: The statistical analysis of the biochemical markers of bone metabolism revealed overall significant differences between the three groups only for RANKL and OPG/RANKL (p=0.049 and p=0.009). RANKL was higher and OPG/RANKL was lower in TM patients compared to osteoporosis group. Conclusion: Patients with TM do not have a higher probability of suffering from osteoporosis from the general population. However, some markers of osteoclast activity differ between patients with TM and osteoporosis, indicating the possible differences in terms of anti-osteoporotic treatment. The lack of significant differences among the three groups in regards to the levels of CTX and sclerostin may indicate the potential efficacy of the current osteoporotic treatment also for TM patients.
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| 2. |
- Tsartsalis, Athanasios N., et al.
(författare)
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The role of biphosphonates in the management of thalassemia-induced osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- 2018
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Ingår i: HORMONES-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM. - : SPRINGER. - 1109-3099. ; 17:2, s. 153-166
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Thalassemia Major (TM) is a clinical entity with a high prevalence of low bone mass. The aim of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis of all available data on the role of bisphosphonates (BPs) in the therapy of thalassemia major-induced osteoporosis. The PRISMA recommendations for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses were used to guide the present study. We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) through March 31, 2017 for articles related to thalassemia and BPs. To meta-analytically synthesize the primary endpoint, we used the standardized mean difference (SMD) after Hedgess g transformation under the scenario of a random effects model. Heterogeneity across studies was examined using the I (2) statistic. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) containing original data were included in this review. Three studies were performed in Italy, one in Australia, three in Greece, one in Cyprus, and one in China. The BPs investigated included zoledronate, alendronate, pamidronate, clodronate, and neridronate. Zoledronate and alendronate showed a tendency to perform best as compared to neridronate and the placebo effect with respect to femoral neck, lumbar spine, total hip, and total body in terms of bone mass density (g/cm(2)). BPs and in particular, zolendronate, were quite effective in the treatment of osteoporosis. These findings suggested that bisphosphonates are still a front-line treatment of osteoporosis in TM. However, to draw more meaningful and significant conclusions for the use and efficacy of BP in TM, larger and more complete RCTs should be conducted.
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| 3. |
- Tsartsalis, Dimitrios, et al.
(författare)
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Risk and Protective Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 2297-055X. ; 9
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a global public health issue, accounting for 10-20% of deaths in industrialized countries. Identification of modifiable risk factors may reduce SCD incidence. Methods: This umbrella review systematically evaluates published meta-analyses of observational and randomized controlled trials (RCT) for the association of modifiable risk and protective factors of SCD. Results: Fifty-five meta-analyses were included in the final analysis, of which 31 analyzed observational studies and 24 analyzed RCTs. Five associations of meta-analyses of observational studies presented convincing evidence, including three risk factors [diabetes mellitus (DM), smoking, and early repolarization pattern (ERP)] and two protective factors [implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD) and physical activity]. Meta-analyses of RCTs identified five protective factors with a high level of evidence: ICDs, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), beta-blockers, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in patients with HF. On the contrary, other established, significant protective agents [i.e., amiodarone and statins along with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in heart failure (HF)], did not show credibility. Likewise, risk factors as left ventricular ejection fraction in HF, and left ventricular hypertrophy, non-sustain ventricular tachycardia, history of syncope or aborted SCD in pediatric patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, presented weak or no evidence. Conclusions: Lifestyle risk factors (physical activity, smoking), comorbidities like DM, and electrocardiographic features like ERP constitute modifiable risk factors of SCD. Alternatively, the use of MRA, beta-blockers, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and ICD in patients with HF are credible protective factors. Further investigation targeted in specific populations will be important for reducing the burden of SCD.
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| 4. |
- Abou Ghayda, Ramy, et al.
(författare)
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The global case fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 by continents and national income: A meta-analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Virology. - : WILEY. - 0146-6615 .- 1096-9071. ; 94:6, s. 2402-2413
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study is to provide a more accurate representation of COVID-19s case fatality rate (CFR) by performing meta-analyses by continents and income, and by comparing the result with pooled estimates. We used multiple worldwide data sources on COVID-19 for every country reporting COVID-19 cases. On the basis of data, we performed random and fixed meta-analyses for CFR of COVID-19 by continents and income according to each individual calendar date. CFR was estimated based on the different geographical regions and levels of income using three models: pooled estimates, fixed- and random-model. In Asia, all three types of CFR initially remained approximately between 2.0% and 3.0%. In the case of pooled estimates and the fixed model results, CFR increased to 4.0%, by then gradually decreasing, while in the case of random-model, CFR remained under 2.0%. Similarly, in Europe, initially, the two types of CFR peaked at 9.0% and 10.0%, respectively. The random-model results showed an increase near 5.0%. In high-income countries, pooled estimates and fixed-model showed gradually increasing trends with a final pooled estimates and random-model reached about 8.0% and 4.0%, respectively. In middle-income, the pooled estimates and fixed-model have gradually increased reaching up to 4.5%. in low-income countries, CFRs remained similar between 1.5% and 3.0%. Our study emphasizes that COVID-19 CFR is not a fixed or static value. Rather, it is a dynamic estimate that changes with time, population, socioeconomic factors, and the mitigatory efforts of individual countries.
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| 5. |
- Charitakis, Emmanouil, et al.
(författare)
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Comparing efficacy and safety in catheter ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation: a network meta-analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: BMC Medicine. - : BMC. - 1741-7015. ; 20:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is no consensus on the most efficient catheter ablation (CA) strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies for AF ablation through network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL was performed up to October 5th, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing different CA approaches were included. Efficacy was defined as arrhythmia recurrence after CA and safety as any reported complication related to the procedure during a minimum follow-up time of 6 months. Results: In total, 67 RCTs (n = 9871) comparing 19 different CA strategies were included. The risk of recurrence was significantly decreased compared to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone for PVI with renal denervation (RR: 0.60, CI: 0.38-0.94), PVI with ganglia-plexi ablation (RR: 0.62, CI: 0.41-0.94), PVI with additional ablation lines (RR: 0.8, CI: 0.68-0.95) and PVI in combination with bi-atrial modification (RR: 0.32, CI: 0.11-0.88). Strategies including PVI appeared superior to non-PVI strategies such as electrogram-based approaches. No significant differences in safety were observed. Conclusions: This NMA showed that PVI in combination with additional CA strategies, such as autonomic modulation and additional lines, seem to increase the efficacy of PVI alone. These strategies can be considered in treating patients with AF, since, additionally, no differences in safety were observed. This study provides decision-makers with comprehensive and comparative evidence about the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies.
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| 6. |
- Charitakis, Emmanouil, et al.
(författare)
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Comparing efficacy and safety in catheter ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation: protocol of a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2044-6055. ; 10:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Catheter ablation (CA) of AF is an increasingly offered therapeutic approach, primary to relieve AF-related symptoms. Despite the development of new ablation approaches, there is no consensus regarding the most efficient ablation strategy. The objective of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to compare the efficacy and safety of all different CA approaches for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal (PAF) and non-PAF (non-PAF). Methods and analysis We will perform a systematic search to identify randomised controlled trials of different CA approaches for the treatment of PAF and non-PAF, through the final search date of 1 March 2020. Information sources will include major bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science and CENTRAL) and clinical trial registries. Our primary outcomes will be the efficacy (recurrence-free survival) and safety of different CA approaches for the treatment of AF. Secondary outcomes will be all-cause mortality and procedural time. An NMA will be performed to determine the relative effects of different catheter ablation approaches (such as pulmonary vein isolation alone or in combination with ablation lines, ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms, etc). In PAF, a separate analysis will be performed including different energy sources (such as radiofrequency, cryogenic and laser energy). Risk of bias assessment and sensitivity analyses will be conducted to assess the robustness of the findings to potential bias. Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval will be needed because data are collected from previous studies. The results will be presented through peer-review journals and conference presentation. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020169494.
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| 7. |
- Charitakis, Emmanouil, et al.
(författare)
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Comparing Efficacy and Safety in Catheter Ablation Strategies for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation : A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- 2022
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Ingår i: Diagnostics. - : MDPI. - 2075-4418. ; 12:2
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although catheter ablation (CA) is an established treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), there is no consensus regarding the most efficient CA strategy. The objective of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies for PAF. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL until the final search date, 5 October 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing different CA strategies and methods for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were included. Efficacy was defined as lack of arrhythmia recurrence after CA and safety as any reported complication related to the procedure during a minimum follow-up time of six months. In total, 43 RCTs comparing 11 different CA strategies involving 6701 patients were included. The risk of recurrence was significantly decreased in comparison with PVI with radiofrequency only for the following treatments: PVI with adjuvant ablation (RR: 0.79, CI: 0.65-0.97) and PVI with sympathetic modulation (RR: 0.64, CI: 0.46-0.88). However, PVI with radiofrequency was superior to non-PVI strategies (RR: 1.65, CI: 1.2-2.26). No statistically significant difference was found in safety between different CA strategies. Concerning different PVI strategies, no difference was observed either in efficacy or in safety between tested strategies. This NMA suggests that different PVI strategies are generally similar in terms of efficacy, while PVI with additional ablation or sympathetic modulation may be more effective than PVI alone. This study provides decision-makers with insights into the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies.
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| 8. |
- Charitakis, Emmanouil, et al.
(författare)
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Predictors of recurrence after catheter ablation and electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: an umbrella review of meta-analyses
- 2023
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Ingår i: Europace. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 25:1, s. 40-48
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims The recurrence rates after catheter ablation (CA) and direct current (DC) cardioversion remain high, although they have been established treatments of rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF). This umbrella review systematically appraises published meta-analyses of both observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the association of risk and protective factors for arrhythmia recurrence after CA and DC cardioversion of AF. Methods and results Three bibliographic databases were searched up to June 2021. Evidence of association was rated as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or not significant with respect to observational studies and as high, moderate, low, or very low with respect to RCTs, according to established criteria. Thirty-one meta-analyses were included. Of the 28 associations between CA and the risk of arrhythmia recurrence, none presented convincing evidence, and only the time from diagnosis to ablation over 1 year provided highly suggestive evidence. The association between hypertension and metabolic profile provided suggestive evidence. The associations of Class IC and III antiarrhythmic drugs use with the recurrence after DC cardioversion were supported by an intermediate level of evidence. Conclusion Although AF is a major health issue, few risk- and protective factors for AF recurrence have been identified. None of these factors examined were supported by convincing evidence, whereas established factors such as female gender and left atrial volume showed only weak association. An early CA strategy combined with treatment of metabolic syndrome and hypertension prior to CA may reduce the risk of arrhythmia recurrence. The use of antiarrhythmics can increase the success rate of DC cardioversion. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registry number: CRD42021270613.
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| 9. |
- Charitakis, Emmanouil, et al.
(författare)
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Risk and protective factors for atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery and valvular interventions : an umbrella review of meta-analyses
- 2022
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Ingår i: Open heart. - : BMJ Publishing Group. - 2053-3624. ; 9:2
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication affecting approximately one-third of patients after cardiac surgery and valvular interventions. This umbrella review systematically appraises the epidemiological credibility of published meta-analyses of both observational and randomised controlled trials (RCT) to assess the risk and protective factors of POAF. Methods Three databases were searched up to June 2021. According to established criteria, evidence of association was rated as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak or not significant concerning observational studies and as high, moderate, low or very low regarding RCTs. Results We identified 47 studies (reporting 61 associations), 13 referring to observational studies and 34 to RCTs. Only the transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) approach was associated with the prevention of POAF and was supported by convincing evidence from meta-analyses of observational data. Two other associations provided highly suggestive evidence, including preoperative hypertension and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Three associations between protective factors and POAF presented a high level of evidence in meta-analyses, including RCTs. These associations included atrial and biatrial pacing and performing a posterior pericardiotomy. Nineteen associations were supported by moderate evidence, including use of drugs such as amiodarone, b-blockers, glucocorticoids and statins and the performance of TAVR compared with surgical aortic valve replacement. Conclusions Our study provides evidence confirming the protective role of amiodarone, b-blockers, atrial pacing and posterior pericardiotomy against POAF as well as highlights the risk of untreated hypertension. Further research is needed to assess the potential role of statins, glucocorticoids and colchicine in the prevention of POAF.
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| 10. |
- Dragioti, Elena, Ph.D., et al.
(författare)
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Association of Antidepressant Use With Adverse Health Outcomes A Systematic Umbrella Review
- 2019
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Ingår i: JAMA psychiatry. - Chicago, IL, United States : AMER MEDICAL ASSOC. - 2168-6238 .- 2168-622X. ; 76:12, s. 1241-1255
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- This umbrella review searches PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO to summarize and grade the strength of evidence of the associations between antidepressants and adverse outcomes reported in multiple meta-analyses. Importance Antidepressant use is increasing worldwide. Yet, contrasting evidence on the safety of antidepressants is available from meta-analyses, and the credibility of these findings has not been quantified. Objective To grade the evidence from published meta-analyses of observational studies that assessed the association between antidepressant use or exposure and adverse health outcomes. Data Sources PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO were searched from database inception to April 5, 2019. Evidence Review Only meta-analyses of observational studies with a cohort or case-control study design were eligible. Two independent reviewers recorded the data and assessed the methodological quality of the included meta-analyses. Evidence of association was ranked according to established criteria as follows: convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or not significant. Results Forty-five meta-analyses (17.9%) from 4471 studies identified and 252 full-text articles scrutinized were selected that described 120 associations, including data from 1012 individual effect size estimates. Seventy-four (61.7%) of the 120 associations were nominally statistically significant at P <= .05 using random-effects models. Fifty-two associations (43.4%) had large heterogeneity (I-2 > 50%), whereas small-study effects were found for 17 associations (14.2%) and excess significance bias was found for 9 associations (7.5%). Convincing evidence emerged from both main and sensitivity analyses for the association between antidepressant use and risk of suicide attempt or completion among children and adolescents, autism spectrum disorders with antidepressant exposure before and during pregnancy, preterm birth, and low Apgar scores. None of these associations remained supported by convincing evidence after sensitivity analysis, which adjusted for confounding by indication. Conclusions and Relevance This studys findings suggest that most putative adverse health outcomes associated with antidepressant use may not be supported by convincing evidence, and confounding by indication may alter the few associations with convincing evidence. Antidepressant use appears to be safe for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, but more studies matching for underlying disease are needed to clarify the degree of confounding by indication and other biases. No absolute contraindication to antidepressants emerged from this umbrella review. Question Is antidepressant use associated with adverse health outcomes, and how credible is the evidence behind this association in published meta-analyses of real-world data? Findings In this systematic umbrella review of 45 meta-analyses of observational studies, convincing evidence was found for the associations between antidepressant use and suicide attempt or completion among individuals younger than 19 years and between antidepressant use and autism risk among the offspring. However, none of these associations remained at the convincing evidence level after a sensitivity analysis that adjusted for confounding by indication. Meaning This studys findings suggest that claimed adverse health outcomes associated with antidepressants may not be supported by strong evidence and may be exaggerated by confounding by indication; no absolute contraindication to the use of antidepressants was found to be currently supported by convincing evidence.
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