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  1. Kaliki S, Vempuluru VS, Mohamed A, Al-Jadiry MF, Bowman R, Chawla B, et al.
    Ophthalmology, 2024 Apr;131(4):468-477.
    PMID: 37839559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.10.015
    PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of children who received a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in 2017 throughout Asia.

    DESIGN: Multinational, prospective study including treatment-naïve patients in Asia who received a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in 2017 and were followed up thereafter.

    PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2112 patients (2797 eyes) from 96 retinoblastoma treatment centers in 33 Asian countries.

    INTERVENTIONS: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, enucleation, and orbital exenteration.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Enucleation and death.

    RESULTS: Within the cohort, 1021 patients (48%) were from South Asia (SA), 503 patients (24%) were from East Asia (EA), 310 patients (15%) were from Southeast Asia (SEA), 218 patients (10%) were from West Asia (WA), and 60 patients (3%) were from Central Asia (CA). Mean age at presentation was 27 months (median, 23 months; range, < 1-261 months). The cohort included 1195 male patients (57%) and 917 female patients (43%). The most common presenting symptoms were leukocoria (72%) and strabismus (13%). Using the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, Eighth Edition, classification, tumors were staged as cT1 (n = 441 [16%]), cT2 (n = 951 [34%]), cT3 (n = 1136 [41%]), cT4 (n = 267 [10%]), N1 (n = 48 [2%]), and M1 (n = 129 [6%]) at presentation. Retinoblastoma was treated with intravenous chemotherapy in 1450 eyes (52%) and 857 eyes (31%) underwent primary enucleation. Three-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for enucleation and death were 33% and 13% for CA, 18% and 4% for EA, 27% and 15% for SA, 32% and 22% for SEA, and 20% and 11% for WA (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001), respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: At the conclusion of this study, significant heterogeneity was found in treatment outcomes of retinoblastoma among the regions of Asia. East Asia displayed better outcomes with higher rates of globe and life salvage, whereas Southeast Asia showed poorer outcomes compared with the rest of Asia.

    FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  2. Sun C, Lee WG, Ma Q, Zhang X, Song F, Cai X
    Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 2024 Apr;144(4):1781-1792.
    PMID: 38147077 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-023-05168-3
    BACKGROUND: Positioning implant components and restoring patient anatomy during total hip arthroplasty (THA) are essential for joint stability, polyethylene liner wear, and range of motion. Previous studies comparing intraoperative fluoroscopy with no fluoroscopy during the posterior or posterolateral approach have reported conflicting results. This meta-analysis evaluated if intraoperative fluoroscopy improves component positioning and femoral component position compared to no fluoroscopy during posterior or posterolateral approach total hip arthroplasty.

    METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards were followed when conducting the systematic review. We searched Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Library, Highwire, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang database in May 2023 to identify studies involving Intraoperative fluoroscopy versus no fluoroscopy during posterior or posterolateral approach total hip arthroplasty. Finally, we identified 1133 patients (1145 hips) assessed in seven studies.

    RESULTS: There were no significant differences in terms of acetabular cup inclination angle (ACIA, P = 0.43), ACIA within safe zone rate (P = 0.58), acetabular cup anteversion angle (ACAA, P = 0.46); ACAA within safe zone rate (P = 0.72), Combined safe zone rate (P = 0.28), dislocation rate (P = 0.64) and infection rate (P = 0.94) between two groups. Compared with the no fluoroscopy group, the intraoperative fluoroscopy group had more operation time (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  3. Jameel FR, Abdullah A, Hashim ND, Nasseri Z, Mansor WNW
    Int Tinnitus J, 2024 Mar 21;27(2):238-241.
    PMID: 38507640 DOI: 10.5935/0946-5448.20230036
    External Auditory Canal Cholesteatomas (EACC), is an exceptionally rare condition with a prevalence of only 0.1-0.5% among new patients1. EACC are known to possess bone eroding properties, causing a variety of complications, similar to the better-known attic cholesteatomas. We describe here the novel surgical management of a case of EACC. She is 38-year-old female who presented with otorrhea for 6 months. Clinical examination and radiological investigations suggested the diagnosis of an external auditory canal cholesteatoma. The patient underwent modified radical mastoidectomy with type 1 tympanoplasty with meatoplasty. Post-operatively, the patient showed marked clinical improvement.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  4. Mohamed FS, Lokman FL, Mansoor WNBW, Shakri NBM, Hussain RI, Abdullah A
    Int Tinnitus J, 2024 Mar 21;27(2):242-246.
    PMID: 38512871 DOI: 10.5935/0946-5448.20230037
    A cholesteatoma is an expansion of keratinizing squamous epithelium that enters the middle ear cleft from the outer layer of the tympanic membrane or ear canal. Choleatomas are always treated surgically. Recurrence of the illness presents another challenge for the patient and the surgeon, though. There have been reports of recurrence rates as high as 30% in adults and as high as 70% in children. Here, we describe a case of persistent recurrent otorrhea following revision surgery, along with acquired recurrent cholesteatoma following canal wall down surgery. A 38-year -male with underlying Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension presented with left scanty and foul-smelling ear discharge for 2 years and left reduced hearing. He was diagnosed with left chronic active otitis media with cholesteatoma for which he underwent left modified radical mastoidectomy, meatoplasty and tympanoplasty in 2017. Five months post operatively, he presented with left otorrhea. However, he defaulted followed up and presented in April 2018 for similar complaints. Otoscopy examination revealed left tympanic membrane perforation at poster superior quadrant of pars tensa and bluish discoloration behind pars flacida. He was diagnosed as recurrent left cholesteatoma and subsequently he underwent left mastoid exploration under general anesthesia in June 2018. Postsurgery, he developed recurrent ear discharge which was treated with topical antibiotics and ear toileting. We report a case of recurrent Cholesteatoma despite canal wall down procedure requiring a second redo procedure and with persistent recurrent otorrhea after the redo procedure.However, this case demonstrates the need for regular follow ups even after a canal wall down procedure for detecting recurrence of disease. Moreover, this case denotes some of the patient factors and surgeon factors involved in disease recurrence. Furthermore, importance of opting for an imaging study in case of high suspicion of the disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  5. Kai LC, Khaliddin N, Hassan MK, Hariri F
    Int Ophthalmol, 2024 Mar 19;44(1):147.
    PMID: 38499845 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03084-y
    BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the changes in ophthalmic parameters among syndromic craniosynostosis patients who underwent craniofacial skeletal expansion procedures via distraction osteogenesis (DO).

    METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted involving syndromic craniosynostosis patients who underwent surgical expansion via the DO technique from the year 2012 to March 2022. Changes in six parameters which consist of visual acuity, refractive error, optic disc health, intraocular pressure, degree of proptosis and orbital volume were measured objectively pre and post-surgery. For categorical parameters, the Chi-square cross-tab test was done. Paired sample T-test was used for normally distributed variables. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for non-normally distributed data.

    RESULTS: Visual impairment was present in 21.4% of eyes before surgery and increased to 28.5% post-surgery. Three patients had changes of refractive error post-surgery with one developed hypermetropia, another developed anisometropia and the last had improvement to no refractive error. Two patients had optic disc swelling which was resolved post-surgery. Intraocular pressure changes were inconsistent post-surgery. All patients achieved a significant reduction in the degree of proptosis post-surgery. Orbital volume calculation using computed tomography (CT) scans shows a significant increase in volume post-surgery for all patients.

    CONCLUSION: Our study shows a significant increase in orbital volume post-surgery with a reduction in the degree of proptosis. Optic disc and nerve health improved after the surgery. Changes in terms of visual acuity, refractive error and IOP were inconsistent after the surgical intervention.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  6. Mustafa M, Batul R, Karobari MI, Alamri HM, Abdulwahed A, Almokhatieb AA, et al.
    BMC Oral Health, 2024 Mar 16;24(1):343.
    PMID: 38493123 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04101-3
    INTRODUCTION: Root canal treatment procedures require a thorough understanding of root and canal anatomy. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the morphological differences of teeth root and their canals assessed using cone-beam computed and micro-computed tomography in Saudi Arabian population.

    METHODOLOGY: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed / Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases until January 2023 to retrieve related studies. "Root canal morphology," "Saudi Arabia," "Micro-CT," and "cone-beam computed tomography" were used as keywords. A modified version of previously published risk of bias assessment tool was used to determine the quality assessment of included studies.

    RESULTS: The literature search revealed 47 studies that matched the criteria for inclusion, out of which 44 studies used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and three were micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) studies. According to the modified version of risk of bias assessment tool, the studies were categorized as low, moderate, and high risk of bias. A total of 47,612 samples were included which comprised of either maxillary teeth (5,412), or mandibular teeth (20,572), and mixed teeth (21,327). 265 samples were used in micro-CT studies while 47,347 teeth samples were used in CBCT studies. Among the CBCT studies, except for three, all the studies were retrospective studies. Frequently used imaging machine and software were 3D Accuitomo 170 and Morita's i-Dixel 3D imaging software respectively. Minimum and maximum voxel sizes were 75 and 300 μm, Vertucci's classification was mostly used to classify the root canal morphology of the teeth. The included micro-CT studies were in-vitro studies where SkyScan 1172 X-ray scanner was the imaging machine with pixel size ranging between 13.4 and 27.4 μm. Vertucci, Ahmed et al. and Pomeranz et al. classifications were applied to classify the root canal morphology.

    CONCLUSION: This systematic review revealed wide variations in root and canal morphology of Saudi population using high resolution imaging techniques. Clinicians should be aware of the common and unusual root and canal anatomy before commencing root canal treatment. Future micro-CT studies are needed to provide additional qualitative and quantitative data presentations.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  7. Pimolbutr K, Lim WT, Leeson R, Hopper C, Kalavrezos N, Liew C, et al.
    Oral Dis, 2024 Mar;30(2):504-517.
    PMID: 36648368 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14503
    OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of oral lichen planus (OLP) on the long-term prognosis of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED).

    METHODS: Retrospective single-centre cohort study using the 2007-2019 database of the Head and Neck Cancer and Oral Medicine units of University College London Hospital. The exposure of interest was the presence of OLP, and the prognostic outcomes included the development of new primary episodes of OED, progression to malignancy and mortality. Cox proportional hazard and Poisson regression models were performed.

    RESULTS: A total of 299 patients, of whom 144 had OED arising on the background of OLP (OLP/OED) and 155 had OED without underlying OLP (non-OLP/OED), were included. A pre-existing diagnosis of OLP was significantly associated with a twofold increased risk of subsequent primary OED events (HR = 2.02, p = 0.04), which also developed faster (1.46 vs. 2.96 years, p = 0.04) and with more involvement of non-cancer-prone sites (p = 0.001) than in the non-OLP/OED group. There was no difference between groups in the progression to malignancy or mortality.

    CONCLUSIONS: Oral lichen planus/OED patients are at higher risk of multiple episodes of primary OED, which can develop faster and at non-cancer-prone sites as compared to non-OLP/OED individuals. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of OLP upon progression to OSCC and mortality.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  8. Yock-Corrales A, Lee JH, Domínguez-Rojas JÁ, Caporal P, Roa JD, Fernandez-Sarmiento J, et al.
    J Pediatr Surg, 2024 Mar;59(3):494-499.
    PMID: 37867044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.09.038
    INTRODUCTION: We aimed to identify clinical characteristics, risk factors for diagnosis, and describe outcomes among children with AHT.

    METHODS: We performed an observational cohort study in tertiary care hospitals from 14 countries across Asia and Ibero-America. We included patients <5 years old who were admitted to participating pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). We performed descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression for risk factors of AHT.

    RESULTS: 47 (12%) out of 392 patients were diagnosed with AHT. Compared to those with accidental injuries, children with AHT were more frequently < 2 years old (42, 89.4% vs 133, 38.6%, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  9. Lim WH, Tay P, Ng CH, Tan DJH, Ong C, Koh JH, et al.
    Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2024 Mar;59(6):730-741.
    PMID: 38303565 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17888
    BACKGROUND: Although alcohol abstinence may be an effective intervention for alcohol-associated cirrhosis, its association with prognosis has not been systematically assessed or quantified.

    AIMS: To determine the prevalence of alcohol abstinence, factors associated with alcohol abstinence and the impact of abstinence on morbidity and overall survival in people with alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

    METHODS: We searched Medline and Embase from inception to 15 April 2023 for prospective and retrospective cohort studies describing alcohol abstinence in people with known alcohol-associated cirrhosis. Meta-analysis of proportions for pooled estimates was performed. The method of inverse variance, employing a random-effects model, was used to pool the hazard ratio (HR) comparing outcomes of abstinent against non-abstinent individuals with alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

    RESULTS: We included 19 studies involving 18,833 people with alcohol-associated cirrhosis. The prevalence of alcohol abstinence was 53.8% (CI: 44.6%-62.7%). Over a mean follow-up duration of 48.6 months, individuals who continued to consume alcohol had significantly lower overall survival compared to those who were abstinent (HR: 0.611, 95% CI: 0.506-0.738). These findings remained consistent in sensitivity/subgroup analysis for the presence of decompensation, study design and studies that assessed abstinence throughout follow-up. Alcohol abstinence was associated with a significantly lower risk of hepatic decompensation (HR: 0.612, 95% CI: 0.473-0.792).

    CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol abstinence is associated with substantial improvement in overall survival in alcohol-associated cirrhosis. However, only half of the individuals with known alcohol-associated cirrhosis are abstinent.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  10. Lo TS, Harun F, Chua S, Shen YH, Tan YL, Hsieh WC
    J Formos Med Assoc, 2024 Mar;123(3):331-339.
    PMID: 37996329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2023.11.003
    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We present this current study to complement with mesh inlays plausible benefits (UPHOLD-LITE System) on available long-term study amidst FDA's concern on mesh complications. This study aims to assess the medium-term outcomes of UPHOLD-LITE system for treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and its complications, and lower urinary tract symptoms.

    METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of 53 months follow-up of 123 consecutive patients who underwent UPHOLD-LITE system. Objective outcome measures the anatomical correction of prolapse with POP-Q ≤ Stage 1. Subjective outcome was patient's feedback to questions 2 and 3 of POPDI-6. Secondary outcome measures the quality of life, presence of lower urinary tract symptoms and complications. Quality of life is assessed by validated questionnaires on Urogenital Distress Inventory 6 (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7 (IIQ-7), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6 (POPDI-6), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire 12 (PISQ-12) at 1 and 3 years post-operatively.

    RESULTS: Objective outcome at 1 and 3 years was at 96.7 % and 95.4 % respectively. The subjective cure was 95.1 % and 91.6 %. Five-year cumulative cure rate maintained at 87.2 %. Secondary outcomes observed improvement on UDI-6, IIQ-7, POPDI-6 and PISQ-12 postoperatively. Bladder outlet obstruction improved while de novo urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) increased slightly post surgically. Mesh erosion rate was 0.8 %.

    CONCLUSION: The UPHOLD-LITE system demonstrated good medium term anatomical correction of apical and anterior prolapse, with good subjective cure and improved quality of life. Whilst complication rate was low, slight increase in de novo USI was observed.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  11. Chien YC, Ko YC, Chiang WC, Sun JT, Shin SD, Tanaka H, et al.
    Am J Emerg Med, 2024 Mar;77:147-153.
    PMID: 38150984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.12.011
    BACKGROUND: Major trauma is a leading cause of unexpected death globally, with increasing age-adjusted death rates for unintentional injuries. Field triage schemes (FTSs) assist emergency medical technicians in identifying appropriate medical care facilities for patients. While full FTSs may improve sensitivity, step-by-step field triage is time-consuming. A simplified FTS (sFTS) that uses only physiological and anatomical criteria may offer a more rapid decision-making process. However, evidence for this approach is limited, and its performance in identifying all age groups requiring trauma center resources in Asia remains unclear.

    METHODS: We conducted a multinational retrospective cohort study involving adult trauma patients admitted to emergency departments in the included countries from 2016 to 2020. Prehospital and hospital data were reviewed from the Pan-Asia Trauma Outcomes Study database. Patients aged ≥18 years transported by emergency medical services were included. Patients lacking data regarding age, sex, physiological criteria, or injury severity scores were excluded. We examined the performance of sFTS in all age groups and fine-tuned physiological criteria to improve sFTS performance in identifying high-risk trauma patients in different age groups.

    RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the physiological and anatomical criteria for identifying major trauma (injury severity score ≥ 16) were 80.6% and 58.8%, respectively. The modified sFTS showed increased sensitivity and decreased specificity, with more pronounced changes in the young age group. Adding the shock index further increased sensitivity in both age groups.

    CONCLUSIONS: sFTS using only physiological and anatomical criteria is suboptimal for Asian adult patients with trauma of all age groups. Adjusting the physiological criteria and adding a shock index as a triage tool can improve the sensitivity of severely injured patients, particularly in young age groups. A swift field triage process can maintain acceptable sensitivity and specificity in severely injured patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  12. Ng DC, Liew CH, Tan KK, Awang EHB, Nazri FNBA, Maran AKT, et al.
    Clin Respir J, 2024 Mar;18(3):e13747.
    PMID: 38529669 DOI: 10.1111/crj.13747
    INTRODUCTION: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are significant contributors to the burden of acute respiratory infections in children, but data on hMPV from Southeast Asia are limited despite its potential for serious disease. This study aimed to compare the clinical presentation, resource utilisation and outcomes between hMPV and RSV infections in hospitalised Malaysian children.

    METHODS: This retrospective, observational study included children aged ≤12 years old hospitalised with hMPV or RSV, confirmed via direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) methods, between 1 July to 30 October 2022 at Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban, Malaysia. Demographic, clinical presentation, resource utilisation and outcome data were analysed. Propensity score matching was used to balance cohorts based on key demographic and clinical characteristics.

    RESULTS: This study included 192 patients, comprising 112 with hMPV and 80 with RSV. hMPV patients were older (median age 20.5 vs. 9.4 months, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  13. Kumar N, Sheikh Ghadzi SM, Rajpoot PL, Thanganadar H, Hashmi FK, Noor A, et al.
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2024 Feb 29;18(2):177-187.
    PMID: 38484345 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.18313
    INTRODUCTION: Hypertension significantly contributes to the severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients. It has also been a risk factor for prolonged hospitalization and the need for intensive care. However, the data is still evolving. Therefore, this study investigated the predictors of mortality among hypertensive COVID-19 patients.

    METHODOLOGY: A single-center cohort study was performed at Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan, between April 1, 2021, and October 31, 2021. This study included 333 hospitalized hypertensive COVID-19 patients and evaluated their clinical characteristics and survival outcomes. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied in IBM SPSS 27.0 to determine the predictors of mortality.

    RESULTS: The majority of patients were females (54.7%), the median age was 62 [55-70] years, with co-existing diabetes (56.5%) and severely ill (52.6%). The independent predictors of mortality identified were age ≥ 65 years (aOR 20.89, 95% CI, 5.81-75.15; p < 0.001), pulse rate (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.63; p = 0.006), serum creatinine (aOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11-1.63; p = 0.002), use of antibiotics (aOR 3.40, 95% CI 1.29-8.98; p = 0.014)), corticosteroid (aOR 49.68, 95% CI 1.83-1350.31; p = 0.020), and who needed high flow oxygen supply (aOR 13.08, 95% CI 1.70-100.54; p < 0.001), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR 229.01, 95% CI 29.30-1789.71; p < 0.001) and invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR 379.54, 95% CI 36.60-3935.87; p < 0.001).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that older age, elevated pulse rate, serum creatinine, use of antibiotics and corticosteroids, and the need for mechanical ventilation predict mortality among hypertensive COVID-19.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  14. Suhairi MH, Mohamad M, Isa MR, Mohd Yusoff MAS, Ismail N
    BMJ Open, 2024 Feb 26;14(2):e080144.
    PMID: 38413152 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080144
    OBJECTIVES: Due to the paucity of literature on risk factors for tuberculosis (TB)-related death, we determine the sociodemographic and clinical risk factors associated with TB-related deaths among adult pulmonary TB (PTB) patients on treatment in Selangor, Malaysia.

    DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

    SETTING: Routinely collected primary care data from all government TB clinics in Selangor.

    PARTICIPANTS: Data of 24 570 eligible adult PTB patients from 2013 to 2019 were obtained from Selangor's State Health Department surveillance records. We included PTB patients aged at least 15 years old at the time of diagnosis with complete documentation of the dates of diagnosis, treatment initiation, end of treatment/follow-up and treatment outcomes. We excluded patients whose diagnoses were changed to non-TB, post-mortem TB diagnosis and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients.

    PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: TB-related death, determined from the recorded physicians' consensus during the TB mortality meeting.

    RESULTS: TB-related death was significantly associated with far (adjusted HR (aHR) 9.98, 95% CI 4.28 to 23.28) and moderately advanced (aHR 3.23, 95% CI 1.43 to 7.31) radiological findings at diagnosis; concurrent TB meningitis (aHR 7.67, 95% CI 4.53 to 12.98) and miliary TB (aHR 6.32, 95% CI 4.10 to 9.74) involvement; HIV positive at diagnosis (aHR 2.81, 95% CI 2.21 to 3.57); Hulu Selangor (aHR 1.95, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.93), Klang (aHR 1.53, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.98) and Hulu Langat (aHR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.68) residing districts; no formal education (aHR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.35); unemployment (aHR 1.54, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.84), positive sputum smear acid-fast bacilli (AFB) at diagnosis (aHR 1.51, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.85); rural residency (aHR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.72) and advancing age (aHR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.03).

    CONCLUSIONS: Far and moderately advanced radiological findings, concurrent TB meningitis and miliary TB involvement, HIV positive, Hulu Selangor, Klang and Hulu Langat residing districts, no formal education, unemployment, positive sputum smear AFB, rural residency and advancing age are risk factors of TB-related death. Our findings should assist in identifying high-risk patients requiring interventions against TB-related death.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  15. Yu J, Lam SK, He L, Wang P, Cao Y
    Sci Rep, 2024 Feb 16;14(1):3921.
    PMID: 38365922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54456-4
    Malnutrition in patients is associated with reduced tolerance to treatment-related side effects and higher risks of complications, directly impacting patient prognosis. Consequently, a pressing requirement exists for the development of uncomplicated yet efficient screening methods to detect patients at heightened nutritional risk. The aim of this study was to formulate a concise nutritional risk prediction model for prompt assessment by oncology medical personnel, facilitating the effective identification of hepatocellular carcinoma patients at an elevated nutritional risk. Retrospective cohort data were collected from hepatocellular carcinoma patients who met the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria between March 2021 and April 2022. The patients were categorized into two groups: a normal nutrition group and a malnutrition group based on body composition assessments. Subsequently, the collected data were analyzed, and predictive models were constructed, followed by simplification. A total of 220 hepatocellular carcinoma patients were included in this study, and the final model incorporated four predictive factors: age, tumor diameter, TNM stage, and anemia. The area under the ROC curve for the short-term nutritional risk prediction model was 0.990 [95% CI (0.966-0.998)]. Further simplification of the scoring rule resulted in an area under the ROC curve of 0.986 [95% CI (0.961, 0.997)]. The developed model provides a rapid and efficient approach to assess the short-term nutritional risk of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. With easily accessible and swift indicators, the model can identify patients with potential nutritional risk more effectively and timely.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  16. Al-Halfawy A, Hussein S, Ashur W, El-Hendawi A, Hussein S
    J Cardiothorac Surg, 2024 Feb 07;19(1):69.
    PMID: 38326810 DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02560-x
    BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is an issue of debate. Lymph nodes may be enlarged due to a variety of inflammatory, infectious, or malignant reasons. Therefore, obtaining samples from the affected nodes is crucial for the diagnosis. Usually, these patients are subjected to TBNA (EBUS or conventional) or mediastinoscopy if TBNA is not conclusive. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of this new technique of transbronchial forceps biopsy for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

    METHODS: The study included 18 patients with confirmed mediastinal lymphadenopathy who were admitted in Chest Department, Cairo University in the period from December 2019 to December 2020. All patients were subjected to flexible bronchoscopy with conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) and transbronchial forceps biopsy (LN-TBFB) from the enlarged mediastinal lymph node in the same procedure.

    RESULTS: we found the technique of LN-TBFB safe with no serious complications. We were able to reach a diagnosis in 7/7 (100%) cases of sarcoidosis, 6/7 (85.7%) cases of malignant lymph nodes. We had three cases where the histopathology showed hyperactive follicular hyperplasia, and a single case of tuberculous lymphadenitis. C-TBNA was diagnostic in 71.4% of sarcoidosis cases, 42.9% of malignant cases, but failed to diagnose the one patient with tuberculous lymphadenitis.

    CONCLUSION: Lymph node transbronchial forceps biopsy (LN-TBFB) was found to be safe and effective in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. We strongly advocate the use of this minimally invasive technique for diagnosing pathologically enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, as a last step before mediastinoscopy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  17. Lim WH, Ng CH, Tan DJH, Xiao J, Fu CE, Ong C, et al.
    Transplantation, 2024 Feb 01;108(2):473-482.
    PMID: 37439778 DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000004718
    BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) offers patients with decompensated cirrhosis the best chance at long-term survival. With the rising prevalence of diabetes, further clarity is needed on the impact of receiving a liver allograft from a donor with diabetes on post-LT outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the impact of donor diabetes on clinical outcomes after LT.

    METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing registry data of LT recipients from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021. Outcomes analysis was performed using Cox proportional model for all-cause mortality and graft failure. Confounding was reduced by coarsened exact matching causal inference analysis.

    RESULTS: Of 66 960 donors identified, 7178 (10.7%) had diabetes. Trend analysis revealed a longitudinal increase in the prevalence of donor diabetes ( P  

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  18. Sim AXJ, Tsen PY, Ngali NM, Lim SY, Gee T, Hanipah ZN
    Obes Surg, 2024 Feb;34(2):509-514.
    PMID: 38150118 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-023-07001-7
    BACKGROUND: Weight loss surgery is an established intervention for obesity and related conditions, ensuring sustained weight reduction and improved comorbidities. Post-bariatric surgery, maintaining nutritional adequacy and weight loss necessitates ongoing, intensive dietary support. This research aims to discern the impact of standard care vs. intensive dietary support on outcomes following bariatric surgery within an Asian demographic. This study aims to research the part that intensive dietary support plays in contrast to standard care in altering weight loss and BMI change following bariatric surgery.

    METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records from a Malaysian tertiary care hospital documented bariatric surgeries conducted from January 2020 to January 2022. Rigorous criteria selected 200 patients from 327, evenly split between standard care and intensive dietary support groups. The latter underwent six mandatory visits with a surgeon and a dietitian in the initial 3 months post-surgery. A dual-review mechanism was implemented for data interpretation, increasing robustness, and reducing biases in our findings.

    RESULTS: At 6 and 12 months, the intensive dietary support group exhibited significantly greater weight loss and BMI reduction (p < 0.01). Postoperative complications did not significantly differ between groups.

    CONCLUSION: In an Asian population, intensive dietary support enhances weight loss and BMI reduction compared to standard care after bariatric surgery.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  19. Seth EA, Watterson J, Xie J, Arulsamy A, Md Yusof HH, Ngadimon IW, et al.
    Epilepsia Open, 2024 Feb;9(1):41-59.
    PMID: 37881157 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12854
    A reliable seizure detection or prediction device can potentially reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with epileptic seizures. Previous findings indicating alterations in cardiac activity during seizures suggest the usefulness of cardiac parameters for seizure detection or prediction. This study aims to examine available studies on seizure detection and prediction based on cardiac parameters using non-invasive wearable devices. The Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases were used to systematically search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Human studies that evaluated seizure detection or prediction based on cardiac parameters collected using wearable devices were included. The QUADAS-2 tool and proposed standards for validation for seizure detection devices were used for quality assessment. Twenty-four articles were identified and included in the analysis. Twenty studies evaluated seizure detection algorithms, and four studies focused on seizure prediction. Most studies used either a wrist-worn or chest-worn device for data acquisition. Among the seizure detection studies, cardiac parameters utilized for the algorithms mainly included heart rate (HR) (n = 11) or a combination of HR and heart rate variability (HRV) (n = 6). HR-based seizure detection studies collectively reported a sensitivity range of 56%-100% and a false alarm rate (FAR) of 0.02-8/h, with most studies performing retrospective validation of the algorithms. Three of the seizure prediction studies retrospectively validated multimodal algorithms, combining cardiac features with other physiological signals. Only one study prospectively validated their seizure prediction algorithm using HRV extracted from ECG data collected from a custom wearable device. These studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using cardiac parameters for seizure detection and prediction with wearable devices, with varying algorithmic performance. Many studies are in the proof-of-principle stage, and evidence for real-time detection or prediction is currently limited. Future studies should prioritize further refinement of the algorithm performance with prospective validation using large-scale longitudinal data. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This systematic review highlights the potential use of wearable devices, like wristbands, for detecting and predicting seizures via the measurement of heart activity. By reviewing 24 articles, it was found that most studies focused on using heart rate and changes in heart rate for seizure detection. There was a lack of studies looking at seizure prediction. The results were promising but most studies were not conducted in real-time. Therefore, more real-time studies are needed to verify the usage of heart activity-related wearable devices to detect seizures and even predict them, which will be beneficial to people with epilepsy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  20. Commons RJ, Rajasekhar M, Edler P, Abreha T, Awab GR, Baird JK, et al.
    Lancet Infect Dis, 2024 Feb;24(2):172-183.
    PMID: 37748496 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00430-9
    BACKGROUND: Primaquine is used to eliminate Plasmodium vivax hypnozoites, but its optimal dosing regimen remains unclear. We undertook a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of different primaquine dosing regimens to prevent P vivax recurrence.

    METHODS: For this systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central for prospective clinical studies of uncomplicated P vivax from endemic countries published between Jan 1, 2000, and June 8, 2023. We included studies if they had active follow-up of at least 28 days, and if they included a treatment group with daily primaquine given over multiple days, where primaquine was commenced within 7 days of schizontocidal treatment and was given alone or coadministered with chloroquine or one of four artemisinin-based combination therapies (ie, artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-mefloquine, artesunate-amodiaquine, or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine). We excluded studies if they were on prevention, prophylaxis, or patients with severe malaria, or if data were extracted retrospectively from medical records outside of a planned trial. For the meta-analysis, we contacted the investigators of eligible trials to request individual patient data and we then pooled data that were made available by Aug 23, 2021. We assessed the effects of total dose and duration of primaquine regimens on the rate of first P vivax recurrence between day 7 and day 180 by Cox's proportional hazards regression (efficacy analysis). The effect of primaquine daily dose on gastrointestinal symptoms on days 5-7 was assessed by modified Poisson regression (tolerability analysis). The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42019154470.

    FINDINGS: Of 226 identified studies, 23 studies with patient-level data from 6879 patients from 16 countries were included in the efficacy analysis. At day 180, the risk of recurrence was 51·0% (95% CI 48·2-53·9) in 1470 patients treated without primaquine, 19·3% (16·9-21·9) in 2569 patients treated with a low total dose of primaquine (approximately 3·5 mg/kg), and 8·1% (7·0-9·4) in 2811 patients treated with a high total dose of primaquine (approximately 7 mg/kg), regardless of primaquine treatment duration. Compared with treatment without primaquine, the rate of P vivax recurrence was lower after treatment with low-dose primaquine (adjusted hazard ratio 0·21, 95% CI 0·17-0·27; p<0·0001) and high-dose primaquine (0·10, 0·08-0·12; p<0·0001). High-dose primaquine had greater efficacy than low-dose primaquine in regions with high and low relapse periodicity (ie, the time from initial infection to vivax relapse). 16 studies with patient-level data from 5609 patients from ten countries were included in the tolerability analysis. Gastrointestinal symptoms on days 5-7 were reported by 4·0% (95% CI 0·0-8·7) of 893 patients treated without primaquine, 6·2% (0·5-12·0) of 737 patients treated with a low daily dose of primaquine (approximately 0·25 mg/kg per day), 5·9% (1·8-10·1) of 1123 patients treated with an intermediate daily dose (approximately 0·5 mg/kg per day) and 10·9% (5·7-16·1) of 1178 patients treated with a high daily dose (approximately 1 mg/kg per day). 20 of 23 studies included in the efficacy analysis and 15 of 16 in the tolerability analysis had a low or unclear risk of bias.

    INTERPRETATION: Increasing the total dose of primaquine from 3·5 mg/kg to 7 mg/kg can reduce P vivax recurrences by more than 50% in most endemic regions, with a small associated increase in gastrointestinal symptoms.

    FUNDING: Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Medicines for Malaria Venture.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
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