METHODS: Data from the GBD study were analysed to evaluate incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for headache disorders and their subtypes. Trends were assessed using absolute numbers and age-standardized rates, with demographic patterns by age and gender examined to identify vulnerable populations. Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to detect significant temporal shifts.
RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, headache disorders in South Asia rose from 114.2 million to 206.8 million in incidence, and from 367.4 million to 698.5 million in prevalence, with YLDs nearly doubling from 6.0 million to 11.6 million. Migraines accounted for 294.4 million cases, while TTH contributed 495.4 million cases, with YLDs increasing by 92.88 and 99.35%, respectively. Afghanistan saw the highest relative growth, while India contributed the largest absolute burden. Women and middle-aged adults were disproportionately affected, with the highest prevalence observed in females aged 30-34 years. The Maldives showed dramatic increases in TTH-related YLDs, highlighting disparities in smaller nations.
CONCLUSION: The rising burden of headache disorders in South Asia highlights the need for region-specific strategies targeting high-burden subtypes, countries, and vulnerable populations to mitigate their disabling impacts.
METHODS: We used Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data to assess the burden of AHE across eight South Asian countries from 1990 to 2021. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze temporal trends and Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) was calculated to quantify trends. The relationship between age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR) and socio-demographic index (SDI) was assessed using smoothing spline model and Spearman rank correlation. Rates are expressed per 100,000 population.
RESULTS: Bangladesh had highest age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) [33.27 (95 % Uncertainty Interval: 27.64 to 39.95)] and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) [433.01 (359.61 to 519.76)], while India had highest ASDR [9.52 (4.33 to 18.42)]. Males had higher ASIR and ASPR than females in most South Asian countries, except Bhutan and India, and higher ASDR except in Nepal and Pakistan. Bhutan had the highest EAPC for both sexes in ASPR and ASIR, while India had the highest EAPC in ASDR, closely followed by Bhutan for both sexes. Age group 5-9 had the highest ASPR and ASIR whereas <1-year age group had the highest ASDR. There was an inverse relationship between ASDR and SDI (R = -0.49, p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: South Asia bears a high burden of AHE, with variations across countries. Improvements in Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services are needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6.
METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published up to December 1, 2024. Observational studies assessing SHBG levels and prostate cancer risk were included. Effect sizes were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic, and quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using R software version 4.4.
RESULTS: Sixteen studies, including 720,298 participants and 90,799 prostate cancer cases, were analyzed. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for prostate cancer risk per unit increase in SHBG was 0.907 (95% CI 0.799-1.030), indicating no statistically significant association. Substantial heterogeneity was observed among the included studies (I2 = 79%; P
METHOD: This analysis utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021 to examine inguinal, femoral, and abdominal hernias across India from 1990 to 2021, categorized by ICD-10 codes. Key metrics analyzed included prevalence, incidence, mortality, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), with age-standardized rates (ASRs). The Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) for incidence and mortality, Spearman correlation for assessing the relationship between Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and hernia metrics, and ARIMA models for future trend projections were employed.
RESULT: Between 1990 and 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of hernias in India decreased from 143.85 to 137.05 per 100,000, a reduction of 4.72%, despite a 46% increase in the absolute number of hernia cases due to population growth. Mortality rates significantly declined by 57.05%. DALYs also decreased from 98.01 to 43.51 per 100,000. Projections for 2031 indicate stabilization of incidence rates and an increase in prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvements in hernia management in India have been achieved over three decades, driven by advances in healthcare and socio-demographic progress. However, the rising number of cases and expected increase in prevalence highlight the need for enhanced healthcare strategies and resource allocation to manage the hernia burden effectively.
AREAS COVERED: This systematic review identified and evaluated the potential of current drug treatments for long-COVID, examining both completed and ongoing RCTs.
EXPERT OPINION: We identified four completed and 22 ongoing RCTs, investigating 22 unique drugs. However, most drugs were deemed to not have high potential for treating long-COVID, according to three pre-specified domains, a testament to the ordeal of treating long-COVID. Given that long-COVID is highly multifaceted with several proposed subtypes, treatments likely need to be tailored accordingly. Currently, rintatolimod appears to have modest to high potential for treating the myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) subtype, LTY-100 and Treamid for pulmonary fibrosis subtype, and metformin for general long-COVID prevention.