Search results for "Mean difference"
showing 10 items of 46 documents
The Effects of Tamoxifen on Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2017
Introduction: Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator widely used in the treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen therapy is associated with reduced circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased triglycerides, but its effects on other lipids are less-well studied. Aims: We aimed to investigate the effect of tamoxifen on circulating concentrations of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) through systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Methods: This study was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42016036890). Scopus, Medline and EMBASE were searched from inception until 22nd March 2016 to identify studies in…
Patient-specific simulation of the intrastromal ring segment implantation in corneas with keratoconus
2015
Purpose The purpose of this study was the simulation of the implantation of intrastromal corneal-ring segments for patients with keratoconus. The aim of the study was the prediction of the corneal curvature recovery after this intervention. Methods Seven patients with keratoconus diagnosed and treated by implantation of intrastromal corneal-ring segments were enrolled in the study. The 3D geometry of the cornea of each patient was obtained from its specific topography and a hyperelastic model was assumed to characterize its mechanical behavior. To simulate the intervention, the intrastromal corneal-ring segments were modeled and placed at the same location at which they were placed in the s…
The effect of different periods of argon deaeration on exhaled breath condensate pH.
2011
Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH has been considered as a biomarker of airway inflammation in asthma. However, little information is available on the duration of argon deaeration required to achieve a stable pH in EBC samples.To identify differences in EBC pH after argon deaeration for 2, 4, and 8 min.EBC pH was determined in EBC samples from 48 subjects with allergic rhinitis (11 asthmatics) and 14 healthy volunteers without deaeration and after argon deaeration for 2, 4, and 8 min.The mean (95% CI) pH values obtained from samples analyzed after 4 min [7.66 (7.52-7.80)] and 8 min [7.70 (7.55-7.85)] of argon deaeration were significantly less acidic (p.001) than those identified after 2 m…
Lung Function Monitoring; A Randomized Agreement Study
2016
Objective: To determine the agreement between devices and repeatability within devices of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory flow at 50% of FVC (FEF50) values measured using the four spirometers included in the study. Methods: 50 (24 women) participants (20-64 years of age) completed maximum forced expiratory flow manoeuvres and measurements were performed using the following devices: MasterScreen, SensorMedics, Oxycon Pro and SpiroUSB. The order of the instruments tested was randomized and blinded for both the participants and the technicians. Re-testing was conducted on a following day within 72 hours …
Physical activity and exercise in mild cognitive impairment and dementia::an umbrella review of intervention and observational studies
2020
Objectives:\ud \ud The aim of this umbrella review was to determine the effect of physical activity/exercise on improving cognitive and noncognitive outcomes in people with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and dementia.\ud \ud Design:\ud \ud Umbrella review of systematic reviews (SR), with or without meta-analyses (MAs), of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.\ud \ud Settings and Participants:\ud \ud People with MCI or dementia, confirmed through validated assessment measures. Any form of physical activity/exercise was included. As controls, we included participants not following any prespecified physical activity/exercise intervention or following the same standard…
Efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with grass allergens for seasonal allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2010
Background The benefit of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with grass allergens for seasonal allergic rhinitis has been extensively studied, but data on efficacy are still equivocal. Objective To assess the effectiveness of SLIT with grass allergens in the reduction of symptoms and medication in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis to grass pollen. Methods Computerized bibliographic searches of MEDLINE (1995-2010) were supplemented by hand searches of reference lists. Studies were included if they were double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SLIT to placebo and if they included patients with history of allergy to grass pollen treated with natural grass pollen extracts.…
Clinically meaningful FEV1 response with reslizumab achieved early and sustained over 52 weeks
2017
Background: Reslizumab (RES) is a humanized anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody that significantly reduces the risk of asthma exacerbations and improves asthma control, lung function, and quality of life in patients with uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma. The mean difference in FEV 1 in RES treated patients vs placebo (PBO) at 16 and 52 weeks has been shown to be statistically and clinically significant (Castro et al., Lancet Respir Med. 2015; 3:355–366), but individual responders have not been assessed. Aims/Objectives: To assess the proportion of RES-treated patients who achieved a ≥0.1L increase in FEV 1 from baseline and the duration of treatment before response occurs. Methods: This …
Efficacy of proteolytic enzyme bromelain on health outcomes after third molar surgery. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical tri…
2019
Background Bromelain is a cysteine protease isolated from pineapple with a range of biological properties including platelet aggregation inhibition and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies have evaluated the clinical implications of bromelain in reducing postoperative inflammatory complications after third molar surgery, but the results are contrasting. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of bromelain on health outcomes in patients submitted to third molar surgery. Material and Methods The study was conducted following the PRISMA statement. Searches were conducted in six electronic databases and Google Scholar from inception to May 2018. The following element…
Head-to-head comparison of statins versus fibrates in reducing plasma fibrinogen concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2015
Several studies suggest differences between fibrates and statins in lowering plasma fibrinogen (Fib) concentrations, but the evidence is not definitive. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis of head-to-head randomized trials was to compare the efficacy of statins and fibrates on plasma Fib concentrations.The literature search included Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science up to February 1st, 2015, to identify head-to-head comparative randomized trials investigating the efficacy of fibrates vs statins on plasma Fib concentrations.In total 22 trials with 2762 participants were included to the meta-analysis. Random-effect meta-analysis suggested a significantly greater effect of fibrates vs s…
Rheumatoid arthritis affects left ventricular mass: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
2015
Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease represents one of the most important extra-articular causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Evidences showed that several cardiac structures can be affected during the course of the disease as well as abnormalities of left ventricular diastolic filling. Contrasting data are available about left ventricular mass (LVM) involvement in patients asymptomatic for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the effects of RA on LVM in rheumatoid arthritis patients without cardiovascular disease. Methods A systematic research of the current case–control studies was c…