Objective To systematically review the efficacy of six cognitive interventions on cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive impairment after stroke. Methods The PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, WanFang Data and CNKI databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials on the effects of non-drug interventions on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive impairment after stroke from inception to March 2023. 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 Openbugs 3.2.3 and Stata 16.0 software. Results A total of 72 studies involving 4 962 patients were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that the following five cognitive interventions improved the cognitive function of stroke patients with mild cognitive impairment: cognitive control intervention (SMD=?1.28, 95%CI ?1.686 to ?0.90, P<0.05) had the most significant effect on the improvement of cognitive function, followed by computer cognitive training (SMD=?1.02, 95%CI ?1.51 to ?0.53, P<0.05), virtual reality cognitive training (SMD=?1.20, 95%CI ?1.78 to ?0.62, P<0.05), non-invasive neural regulation (SMD=?1.09, 95%CI ?1.58 to ?0.60, P<0.05), and cognitive stimulation (SMD=?0.94, 95%CI ?1.82 to ?0.07, P<0.05). Conclusion Five cognitive interventions are effective in improving cognitive function for stroke patients with mild cognitive impairment, among which cognitive control intervention is the most effective. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectivesThe present network meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential efficacy and safety of various surgical approaches in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with enlarged prostate.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov and CNKI databases were electronically searched to identify eligible studies. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias and the ADDIS 1.16.8 software was used to conduct meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 23 studies involving 2 849 patients with 5 approaches including open prostatectomy (OP), holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), plasmakinetic/bipolar plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PK/BPEP), transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP), and laparoscopic prostatectomy (LSP) were included. HoLEP, PK/BPEP and OP were superior to the other methods in improving the objective indicators and subjective feelings of patients during both short and medium-term follow-up. However, compared with OP, HoLEP and PK/BPEP were observed to result in a significantly lower hemoglobin level (MD=1.65, 95%CI 0.35 to 4.41; MD=2.62, 95%CI 0.64 to 2.90), longer postoperative irrigation time (MD=4.67, 95%CI 1.29 to 10.66; MD=2.67, 95%CI 1.32 to 6.63), as well as indwelling catheter after operation (MD=1.64, 95%CI 0.48 to 4.15; MD=2.52, 95%CI 0.60 to 3.78). In terms of short-term complications, PK/BPEP (RR=0.45, 95%CI 0.13 to 1.29) was found to be significantly lower than that of OP.ConclusionsHoLEP and PK/BPEP can be probably used as a superior treatment option for large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia because of its better curative effect, higher safety and quick postoperative recovery.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy of robotic, laparoscopic-assisted, and open total mesorectal excision (TME) for the treatment of rectal cancer. Methods The PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were electronically searched to identify cohort studies on robotic, laparoscopic-assisted, and open TME for rectal cancer published from January 2016 to January 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies. Subsequently, network meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software and R software. Results A total of 24 studies involving 12 348 patients were included. The results indicated that among the three types of surgical procedures, robotic TME showed the best outcomes by shortening the length of hospital stay, reducing the incidence of postoperative anastomotic fistula and intestinal obstruction, and lowering the overall postoperative complication rate. However, differences in the number of dissected peritumoural lymph nodes were not statistically significant. Conclusion Robotic TME shows better outcomes in terms of the radicality of excision and postoperative short-term outcomes in the treatment of rectal cancer. However, clinicians should consider the patients’ actual condition for the selection of surgical methods to achieve individualised treatment for patients with rectal cancer.
In 2014, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) working group published guidance in BMJ to evaluate the certainty of the evidence (confidence in evidence, quality of evidence) from network meta-analysis. GRADE working group suggested rating the certainty of direct evidence, indirect evidence, and network evidence, respectively. Recently, GRADE working group has published a series of papers to improve and supplement this approach. This paper introduces the frontiers and advancement of GRADE approach to rate the certainty of evidence from network meta-analysis.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effects of nine different dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot (DF). MethodsDatabases including PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2016), Web of Science, EMbase, CBM, CNKI and WanFang Data were searched to collect randomized control trials (RCTs) about the effects of dressings for the DF from inception to April 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then network meta-analysis was performed using WinBugs 1.4.3 and Stata 13.0 softwares. ResultsA total of 29 RCTs involving 2 393 patients were included. The network meta-analysis showed that silver ion was superior to alginate, hydrogel, honey, sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Alginate was superior to sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Hydrogel was superior to povidone-iodine gauze; Honey was superior to sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Foam was superior to silver ion, alginate, hydrogel, honey, sterile gauze, povidone-iodine gauze and antibacterials gauze; Chitosan was superior to hydrogel, sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze; Antibacterials gauze was superior to sterile gauze and povidone-iodine gauze. All of the differences were statistically significant. Probability ranking according to SUCRA showed that there was a great possibility for foam and chitosan in the treatment of DF. ConclusionBased on the results of network meta-analysis and rank, foam dressing and chitosan dressing are superior to other dressings in the treatment of DF. More attentions should be made regarding comparisons directly of different dressing and reporting of cost-effective analysis.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of different drugs for the treatment of intermittent claudication in patients with peripheral arterial disease. MethodsThe PubMed, Scopus, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease from database inception to December 31st, 2021. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed using Stata 16.0 software. ResultsA total of 36 studies were included, which involved vasodilators (i.e., cilostazol), lipid-lowering agents (i.e., atorvastatin), antiplatelet drugs (i.e., sarpogrelate), and other types of medicine (i.e., L-carnitine and allopurinol). The results of meta-analysis showed that the effects of simvastatin, bencyclane, and ramipril were superior to cilostazol and other drugs in improving PFWD, among which bencyclane was the most efficient. Besides, simvastatin and ramipril were also superior to cilostazol and other drugs in improving MWD (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between cilostazol and other drugs (P>0.05). In terms of adverse events, iloprost was inferior to other drugs, while sulodexide was better tolerated. ConclusionBencyclane is a preferred choice to improve PFWD for the treatment of IC due to PAD, simvastatin and ramipril to improve MWD; however, their safety is poor. Overall, sulodexide and L-carnitine are ideal medicines for IC. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effect of different psychological intervention methods on depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs) on psychological interventions on depression of patients with inflammatory bowel disease from inception to January 12, 2023. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Network meta-analysis was then conducted by using software Stata and GeMTC. ResultsA total of 18 articles, 1 567 patients and 6 psychological intervention methods were included. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that, compared with conventional nursing, music therapy, mindfulness therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy had statistically significant differences in the intervention effect of depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (P<0.05); Among the six psychological intervention methods included, there was a statistically significant difference in relaxation therapy compared with music therapy, writing expression and mindfulness therapy (P<0.05); The difference between cognitive behavioral therapy and music therapy and mindfulness therapy was statistically significant (P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in other interventions (P>0.05). The SUCRA ranking probability chart showed that music therapy was the best intervention method for depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, followed by mindfulness therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. ConclusionThe current evidence suggests that music therapy has an advantage in relieving depression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, followed by mindfulness therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
The method of network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy is in the exploratory stage. We had explored and introduced several methods of network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy before. Based on example, we introduce ANOVA model for performing network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy step-by-step.
With the rapidly growing literature across the surgical disciplines, there is a corresponding need to critically appraise and summarize the currently available evidence so they can be applied appropriately to patient care. The interpretation of systematic reviews is particularly challenging in cases where few robust clinical trials have been performed to address a particular question. However, risk of bias can be minimized and potentially useful conclusions can be drawn if strict review methodology is adhered to, including an exhaustive literature search, quality appraisal of primary studies, appropriate statistical methodology, assessment of confidence in estimates and risk of bias. Therefore, the following article aims to: (Ⅰ) summarize to the important features of a thorough and rigorous systematic review or meta-analysis for the surgical literature; (Ⅱ) highlight several underused statistical approaches which may yield further interesting insights compared to conventional pair-wise data synthesis techniques; and (Ⅲ) propose a guide for thorough analysis and presentation of results.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of different rennin-angiotensin system blockers in prevention of stroke recurrence and reduction of major vascular events in patients with prior stroke.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, CBM and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of ACEIs and ARBs for stroke secondary prevention from inception to November 1st, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed by using Stata 15.1 software.ResultsA total of 6 RCTs involving 25 620 patients were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that: in prevention of stroke recurrence, candesartan (RR=0.40, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.99) and valsartan (RR=0.22, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.76) were significantly lower than placebo; valsartan was lower than telmisartan (RR=0.24, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.81), ramipril (RR=0.26, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.93) and perindopril (RR=0.23, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.81). For reducing the major vascular events after stroke, candesartan (RR=0.39, 95%CI 0.21 to 0.74), valsartan (RR=0.27, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.64) and ramipril (RR=0.76, 95%CI 0.60 to 0.95) were significantly lower than placebo; valsartan was lower than telmisartan (RR=0.29, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.69), ramipril (RR=0.36, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.88) and perindopril (RR=0.28, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.68); candesartan was lower than telmisartan (RR=0.42, 95%CI 0.22 to 0.79) and perindopril (RR=0.41, 95%CI 0.21 to 0.79).ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that valsartan and candesartan can reduce the stroke recurrence and major vascular events after stroke. Ramipril can reduce the major vascular event in patients with prior stroke. Valsartan might be the best option in both outcomes. Due to limited quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.