High-level Evidence Research Articles

Social inequalities in cancer incidence, survival and mortality: An umbrella review

Abstract Background An increasing number of systematic reviews investigating differences in cancer burden by social factors such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status have been published in recent years. Our study aims to evaluate the strength and quality of evidence from systematic reviews investigating associations between social factors and cancer incidence, survival, and mortality to help policy-makers reduce existing social inequalities in the burden of cancer. Methods Our study is a pre-registered umbrella review (PROSPERO; CRD42024552884). We systematically searched Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, the JBI EBP database, and Epistemonikos without date restrictions for published systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses on June 17, 2024. The search identified 15,542 records, which were reduced to 7,421 after deduplication. We are currently screening studies to include systematic reviews of cohort or case-control studies that examined associations between one or more social factors (gender, race/ethnicity, education, occupation, socioeconomic status, place of residence, religion, social capital) and cancer outcomes. Study screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal will be done in duplicate using pre-piloted forms. The strength of evidence of reported associations between social factors and cancer outcomes will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Before data synthesis, we will assess the degree of overlap between primary studies in the eligible reviews by creating citation matrices and calculating corrected covered area indices. Following this, we will narratively summarize associations (for systematic reviews without meta-analyses) and pool the risk estimates for individual social factors and cancer outcomes (for reviews with meta-analyses) using random-effects meta-analysis models. We will have preliminary results ready by November 2024. Key messages • Our umbrella review aims to evaluate the strength and quality of evidence from systematic reviews which have examined social inequalities in cancer incidence, survival, and mortality. • This high-level evidence synthesis can help policy-makers better plan and target interventions to reduce the existing social inequalities in the burden of cancer.

Factors influencing adherence to Physical Exercise in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review focusing on Exercise over General Physical Activity.

While the barriers and facilitators of physical activity adherence are well-defined, there is a limited number of studies focusing specifically on exercise adherence, which is crucial to identify in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) due to its known disease-modifying effect. To investigate the factors affecting adherence to physical exercise in MS patients. Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus electronic databases up to the current date. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for quantitative studies and the McMaster Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies, with evidence synthesis conducted using the Modified Bakker Scale. The systematic review incorporated thirteen studies, consisting of seven qualitative and six quantitative ones. These studies' methodological quality was high; 12 were high, and the other was medium (unclear). In all reviewed studies, the primary patient-related and environmental barriers with high levels of evidence regarding exercise adherence included fatigue (38%), false beliefs (18%), cost (18%), and lack of time (15%). Barriers identified in very few studies included cognitive problems (3%), bladder-bowel problems (3%), and family support and advice (3%), indicating a necessity for further research to reveal their impact on exercise adherence. The scarcity of studies on exercise barriers in MS is partly due to the absence of reliable assessment methods for evaluating exercise adherence, along with the prevalent emphasis on physical activity. Future research should prioritize the development of adherence scales tailored to physical exercise and shifting focus towards less explored barriers.

Exploratory evidence maps for the WHO Classification of Tumours 5th edition for lung and thymus tumors.

The WHO Classification of Tumours (WCT) guides cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. However, research evidence in pathology continuously changes, and new evidence emerges. Correct assessment of evidence in the WCT 5th edition (WCT-5) and identification of high level of evidence (LOE) studies based on study design are needed to improve future editions. We aimed at producing exploratory evidence maps for WCT-5 Thoracic Tumours, specifically lung and thymus tumors. We extracted citations from WCT-5, and imported and coded them in EPPI-Reviewer. The maps were plotted using EPPI-Mapper. Maps displayed tumor types (columns), descriptors (rows), and LOE (bubbles using a four-color code). We included 1434 studies addressing 51 lung, and 677 studies addressing 25 thymus tumor types from WCT-5 thoracic tumours volume. Overall, 87.7% (n = 1257) and 80.8% (n = 547) references were low, and 4.1% (n = 59) and 2.2% (n = 15) high LOE for lung and thymus tumors, respectively. Invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung (n = 215; 15.0%) and squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus (n = 93; 13.7%) presented the highest number of references. High LOE was observed for colloid adenocarcinoma of the lung (n = 11; 18.2%) and type AB thymoma (n = 4; 1.4%). Tumor descriptors with the highest number of citations were prognosis and prediction (n = 273; 19.0%) for lung, and epidemiology (n = 186; 28.0%) for thymus tumors. LOE was generally low for lung and thymus tumors. This study represents an initial step in the WCT Evidence Gap Map (WCT-EVI-MAP) project for mapping references in WCT-5 for all tumor types to inform future WCT editions.

Systematic review of treatments for the gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectivesTo comprehensively assess and present the evidence for treatments used in the management of the gastrointestinal manifestations of SLE. MethodsA systematic search of the literature from January 1990 to June 2022 was performed using the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane. Key words relating to the gastrointestinal system, SLE, and treatment were used. Where there was sufficient evidence for the treatment of a manifestation, we excluded case series with <10 cases and case reports. However, for rarer manifestations with insufficient higher-level evidence, smaller case series and case reports were included. ResultsA total of 29 studies including 767 patients were included in the review; six cohort studies, 11 case-control studies, and 11 case series. Specific gastrointestinal manifestations included enteritis (5 studies), mesenteric vasculitis (3 studies), acute pancreatitis (5 studies), chronic pancreatitis (1 study), intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) (2 studies), hepatitis (4 studies), protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) (6 studies), acute acalculous cholecystitis (2 studies), and Budd-Chiari Syndrome (1 study). Evidence for the treatment of Ascites (13 case reports), peritonitis (3 case reports), and miscellaneous GI manifestations (11 case reports) are included as a supplemental file. Most studies demonstrated a benefit from pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in severe or life-threatening manifestations, and oral prednisolone for less severe manifestations. However, the quality of evidence was low, with a high risk of bias in all studies. ConclusionThis review highlights the need for standardised disease definitions and terminology, as well as consideration of including gastrointestinal manifestations in disease scoring systems. There is a significant need for high-quality clinical trials in the treatment of the gastrointestinal manifestations of SLE, which will likely need to be multi-centre. We hope that this review will promote awareness of the gastrointestinal manifestations of SLE, and serve as a practical guide for evidence-based treatment.

Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Skin-to-Skin Contact Scale for nurses.

Skin-to-skin contact is the practice with the highest level of evidence that increases the growth, development, and healing rate of the newborn. Neonatal nurses are also the best practitioners of skin-to-skin contact. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Skin-to-Skin Contact Scale for nurses. This descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was carried out with 226 neonatal and pediatric nurses between July 2022 and July 2023. The data were collected using an online questionnaire, including a descriptive information form and a skin-to-skin contact scale for nurses. Data were analyzed by explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and item-total score analysis. It was determined that the scale consisted of 20 items and four sub-dimensions and that those four sub-dimensions explained 53.01% of the total variance. All factor loads were higher than 0.30 in the explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses. All the fit indices were higher than 0.80, and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) was less than 0.080 in the confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha was determined to be 0.89 for the total scale and greater than 0.70 for all sub-dimensions. The Skin-to-Skin Contact Scale for nurses was determined to be a valid and reliable measurement tool for Turkish nurses. It is recommended that the scale be used regularly in clinics to determine nurses' attitudes towards skin-to-skin contact.

Current issues in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a comprehensive narrative review.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional deformity of unknown etiology that commonly affects adolescents, imposing significant socioeconomic burdens. Effective management necessitates a comprehensive approach that takes into account multiple factors, including growth potential and psychological issues. Despite significant advancements in AIS management, several questions regarding optimal treatment strategies persist. Recent technological advancements are transforming the treatment landscape, encompassing advancements in bracing, robotic-assisted deformity corrections, and other interventions. This review explores current issues debated in the literature concerning the treatment of AIS, focusing on contemporary high-level evidence (e.g., meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials). Furthermore, this review explores cutting-edge developments and future directions in AIS management, including the integration of artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

Prognostic factors for intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct following surgical resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a biliary neoplasm characterized by intraductal papillary growth and varying degrees of malignant transformation. This study aimed to identify effective prognostic factors (PFs) for predicting the prognosis of IPNB after surgical resection, addressing the gap in the higher level evidence. We systematically searched databases from their inception to October 10, 2023. Data on 12 predetermined PFs were collected and subjected to a meta-analysis. Forest plots were used to summarize the findings. Fifteen studies with a total of 2311 patients were included. Among the PFs examined, extrahepatic tumor location (HR, 2.97; 95% CI 1.68-5.23), subclassification type 2 (HR, 2.62; 95% CI 1.45-4.76), R1 resection (HR, 2.47; 95% CI 1.73-3.51), elevated CA19-9 level (HR, 3.25; 95% CI 1.91-5.54), tumor multiplicity (HR, 2.65; 95% CI 1.40-5.02), and adjacent organ invasion (HR, 3.17; 95% CI 2.01-5.00) were associated with a poorer prognosis. Additionally, the combined HR values indicated that lymph node metastasis and poor tumor differentiation were linked to a worse prognosis, although both exhibited significant heterogeneity. Our study offers valuable insights for enhancing postoperative prognostication and treatment decision-making for IPNB patients with IPNB. These findings warrant further validation in future prospective studies.

Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor with Peritoneal Metastasis: A Review of Current Management.

Peritoneal metastasis in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors poses a significant clinical challenge, with limited data guiding management strategies. We review the existing literature on surgical and systemic treatment modalities for peritoneal metastasis from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Surgical interventions, including cytoreductive surgery, have shown promise in improving symptom control and overall survival-particularly in cases in which 70% cytoreduction can be achieved. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy remains controversial due to a paucity of high-level evidence and a lack of consensus for routine use. The use of systemic therapy in the setting of peritoneal metastasis from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is extrapolated from high-quality evidence for its use in the setting of the solid organ metastasis of this disease. The use of somatostatin analogs for symptom control and some antiproliferative effects is supported by large clinical trials. Additional strong evidence exists for the use of interferon-alpha, everolimus, and sunitinib, particularly in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy may be used in select cases, though as an emerging treatment modality, the optimal sequence of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy within the existing algorithms is unknown. Significant gaps in understanding and standardized management exist, particularly for those patients presenting with peritoneal metastasis, and targeted research to optimize outcomes in this population is needed.

Symptomatic Nonstenotic Carotids: A Topical Review.

Historically, the management of carotid artery disease has primarily focused on the degree of stenosis as the main indicator for assessing stroke etiology, risk, and need for intervention. However, accumulating evidence suggests that structural and biological features within the arterial wall, such as intraplaque hemorrhage, may have superior diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic values. Under current guidelines, unless an atheroma results in ≥50% stenosis, it is not considered the cause of a cerebrovascular event. This results in extensive and often unproductive diagnostic workup, prescription of ineffective medical therapy, and preclusion of patients from receiving revascularization procedures that have been shown to prevent recurrent cerebrovascular events in cases of ≥50% stenosis. A subset of embolic strokes of undetermined source, which account for up to 25% of all ischemic cerebrovascular events, are thought to be due to thromboembolic phenomena from undiagnosed plaque disruptions in nonstenotic arteries (<50% stenosis). Recently, it has been proposed to reclassify this subgroup of patients as symptomatic nonstenotic carotid if the carotid plaque ipsilateral to the cerebrovascular event presents with high-risk features including intraplaque hemorrhage, lipid-rich necrotic core, thinning/rupture of the fibrous cap, and ulceration. In this review, we first provide a historical overview of the chain of events and circumstances that resulted in the present management of carotid artery disease. Second, we embed the contemporary biomarkers of plaque vulnerability in a modern mechanistic paradigm of carotid plaque disruption and thromboembolization. Third, we review the clinically available imaging tools to detect these biomarkers, and how their use has started to shed light on the prevalence and natural history of this underdiagnosed condition. Fourth, we review recent clinical studies employing a contemporary definition of symptomatic nonstenotic carotid and discuss targeted treatments for this condition. Finally, we make a case to generate the much-needed high-level evidence to align the clinical management of patients with symptomatic nonstenotic carotid with a contemporary understanding of plaque disruption and thromboembolization.

Oncological Outcomes of Open Versus Minimally Invasive Surgery for Ductal Adenocarcinomas of Pancreatic Head: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Minimally invasive pancreatic resections (MIPRs) have been shown to be safe and feasible, but there is still a lack of high-level evidence on oncological outcomes for cephalic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim of this study was to compare the oncological outcomes of patients undergoing MIPR and open pancreatic resection (OPR) for pancreatic head cancer in a single high-volume center. Data from a prospectively collected database of patients who underwent radical-intent surgery for resectable and borderline resectable PDAC of the head at our institution between January 2013 and May 2023 were retrieved and analyzed, comparing the surgical and oncological outcomes of MIPR and OPR, using a propensity score matching analysis. In the study period, 220 patients were selected. After matching, a total of 81 MIPRs and 81 OPRs were compared. No difference was found regarding R0 rate (OPR 83.9% vs. MIPR 74.1%, p = 0.122). Median overall survival (24 and 31 months for the OPR and MIPR groups, respectively; log rank p = 0.665) and disease-free survival (12 and 21 months for the OPR and MIPR groups, respectively; log rank p = 0.118) did not differ between the groups. The MIPR group was associated with a greater number of harvested lymph nodes (22 vs. 16, p = 0.0008), longer operative time (565 vs. 420 min, p < 0.0001), and shorter length of stay (12 vs. 18 days; p = 0.0001). No differences between the groups were found regarding all other postoperative and pathological outcomes. Regarding oncological outcomes, MIPR appeared to be comparable to OPR for treating patients with PDAC of the head. Despite an increased operative time, MIPR was associated with a greater number of LNs harvested and a shorter length of stay.

Combination makes strength: a narrative review of transarterial radioembolization plus immune checkpoint inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) are now regarded as promising and versatile therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Combining TARE and ICIs may offer synergistic antineoplastic effects by integrating local and systemic tumor control. This review critically discusses recent preclinical evidence supporting the TARE-ICI combination strategy, completed and ongoing clinical trials, and the challenges in identifying optimal target populations and treatment protocols. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from January 1999 to January 2024. The first part of the search was directed at identifying concluded studies regarding the TARE-ICIs combination. The second part aimed at identifying ongoing clinical trials exploring the Clinicaltrials.gov database. The combination of TARE and ICIs is a promising strategy, supported by preclinical evidence of immune activation post-TARE and potential synergies with ICIs. Early-phase clinical trials have reported encouraging efficacy. However, significant heterogeneity exists among these studies, particularly concerning target populations and treatment schedules. The current evidence on TARE-ICI is favorable and promising in improving outcomes of patients with HCC. Further conclusive and higher levels of evidence are pending.

The Potential of Tele-Ultrasound, Handheld and Self-Operated Ultrasound in Pregnancy Care: A Systematic Review.

To explore the use of tele-ultrasound and handheld or self-operated ultrasound in pregnancy. A systematic search provided 31 studies. The risk of bias for each study was assessed. Results were analyzed and presented in a narrative overview in four domains: tele-ultrasound, patient-operated ultrasound, handheld devices and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The quality of studies was generally low or fair based on the NIH Quality Assessment Tools. Fetal tele-ultrasound services (11 studies) are feasible and especially helpful in rural areas or with increased centralization of specialist care. Three studies with patient-operated ultrasound concluded its feasibility with good-to-high experiences. The use of handheld devices in pregnancy (eight studies) showed similar ultrasound results when compared to standard devices. In LMICs, innovative use of ultrasound (nine studies) can facilitate access to obstetric care performed by trained as well as unskilled caregivers combined with remote evaluation by an expert. Innovations in ultrasound in pregnancy care have shown promising results for application. Although most studies demonstrated benefits for pregnant women or care providers, high-level evidence is scarce. High-quality studies on innovations are needed to assess medical outcomes, patient and provider experiences and costs.

Survey of in vitro fertilization add-ons in Japan (Izanami project).

To identify any correlations between evidence levels, adoption rates, and additional costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF) add-ons. Online survey. The survey was conducted in 621 assisted reproductive technology-registered facilities that are members of the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology from December 22, 2021, to February 13, 2022. The survey included details regarding the specific add-on modalities employed and their associated costs; inquiries pertained to the fertility healthcare infrastructure in Japan before the implementation of the National Health Insurance scheme. The correlation between the adoption rate and cost of IVF add-ons and their evidence levels were analyzed. The evidence level of the add-on treatments was classified into Green, Amber, and Red categories based on the United Kingdom's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and Cochrane systematic reviews. A total of 438 eligible responses were analyzed, with clinics constituting 70.9% of the respondents' facilities. A total of 18 add-ons were assessed, and 96.5% (423/438) of facilities used at least one add-on. A positive correlation of the adoption rate and an inverse correlation of the cost with the evidence level of the IVF add-on treatment were observed (not significant). Outpatient clinics, defined as medical facilities with no beds, had a significantly higher adoption rate (Amber, 65.7%; Red, 52.0%) of add-ons than other facilities, regardless of the evidence rating, although the costs were similar across all site attributes. Accumulating evidence on the efficacy and safety of add-ons will lead to the development of medical care with a high-cost benefit, as an increase in the adoption rate and a decrease in cost are expected when limiting to medical care with a high level of evidence.

Randomized Controlled Trials Studying Nonoperative Treatments of Osteoarthritis Often Use Misleading and Uninformative Control Groups: A Systematic Review.

Because there are no known treatments that alter the natural course of the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, nonoperative treatment needs to be compared with known effective treatments that seek to mitigate symptoms or with similarly invasive inert (placebo) treatments to determine effectiveness. Comparing a treatment to an uninformative control group may inappropriately legitimize and support the use of potentially ineffective treatments. We therefore investigated the prevalence of inappropriate control groups in musculoskeletal research and asked whether these are associated with reporting a positive treatment effect. We systematically reviewed randomized trials of nonoperative treatments of osteoarthritis and asked: (1) What proportion of randomized trials use uninformative control groups (defined as a treatment less invasive than the tested treatment, or a treatment that might possibly not outperform placebo but is not acknowledged as such)? (2) Is the use of uninformative control groups independently associated with reporting a positive treatment effect (defined as p < 0.05 in favor of the intervention, or as making a recommendation favoring the intervention over the control treatment)? In a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase up to September 2023 for randomized controlled trials published between 2020 to 2022 that compared one or more nonoperative treatments for the symptoms of osteoarthritis. We excluded studies that contained a surgical treatment group. We identified 103 trials that met eligibility criteria, with a total of 15,491 patients. The risk of bias was high in 60% (n = 62) of trials using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, version 2. Although the high risk of bias in the included studies is concerning, it does not invalidate our design; instead, it highlights that some studies may use flawed methods to recommend treatments with unproven effectiveness beyond nonspecific effects because the kinds of bias observed would tend to increase the apparent benefit of the treatment(s) being evaluated. We used logistic regression to test the association of uninformative control groups with a positive treatment effect, accounting for potential confounders such as conflict of interest and study bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias score. The use of uninformative control groups (treatments less invasive than the tested treatment, or treatments that might not outperform placebo but are not acknowledged as such) was found in 46% (47 of 103) of included studies. After accounting for potential confounding, there was no association between reporting positive treatment effects and the use of an uninformative control group. Studies with a low risk of bias had a lower likelihood of reporting a positive treatment effect (OR 0.2 [95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.9]; p = 0.04, model pseudo R2 = 0.21). The finding that recent studies that mimic high-level evidence often use uninformative control groups that do not adequately account for nonspecific effects (perceived treatment benefits unrelated to a treatment's direct physiological effects) points to a high risk of legitimizing ineffective treatments. This raises the ethical imperative for patients, clinicians, journal peer reviewers, and journal editors to hold researchers to the standard of an adequate, informative control group. Awareness and risk of bias checklists might help patients and clinicians forgo new treatments based on seemingly high-level evidence that may carry only iatrogenic, financial, and psychological harm (false hope, in particular). Level I, therapeutic study.

European Society of Intensive Care Medicine guidelines on end of life and palliative care in the intensive care unit.

The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) has developed evidence-based recommendations and expert opinions about end-of-life (EoL) and palliative care for critically ill adults to optimize patient-centered care, improving outcomes of relatives, and supporting intensive care unit (ICU) staff in delivering compassionate and effective EoL and palliative care. An international multi-disciplinary panel of clinical experts, a methodologist, and representatives of patients and families examined key domains, including variability across countries, decision-making, palliative-care integration, communication, family-centered care, and conflict management. Eight evidence-based recommendations (6 of low level of evidence and 2 of high level of evidence) and 19 expert opinions were presented. EoL legislation and the importance of respecting the autonomy and preferences of patients were given close attention. Differences in EoL care depending on country income and healthcare provision were considered. Structured EoL decision-making strategies are recommended to improve outcomes of patients and relatives, as well as staff satisfaction and mental health. Early integration of palliative care and the use of standardized tools for symptom assessment are suggested for patients at high risk of dying. Communication training for ICU staff and printed communication aids for families are advocated to improve outcomes and satisfaction. Methods for enhancing family-centeredness of care include structured family conferences and culturally sensitive interventions. Conflict-management protocols and strategies to prevent burnout among healthcare professionals are also considered. The work done to develop these guidelines highlights many areas requiring further research.

Synovial vancomycin and meropenem concentrations in periprosthetic joint infection treated by single-stage revision combined with intra-articular infusion.

We aimed to determine the concentrations of synovial vancomycin and meropenem in patients treated by single-stage revision combined with intra-articular infusion following periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), thereby validating this drug delivery approach. We included 14 patients with PJI as noted in their medical records between November 2021 and August 2022, comprising eight hip and seven knee joint infections, with one patient experiencing bilateral knee infections. The patients underwent single-stage revision surgery, followed by intra-articular infusion of vancomycin and meropenem (50,000 µg/ml). Synovial fluid samples were collected to assess antibiotic concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography. The peak concentrations of vancomycin and meropenem in the joint cavity were observed at one hour post-injection, with mean values of 14,933.9 µg/ml (SD 10,176.3) and 5,819.1 µg/ml (SD 6,029.8), respectively. The trough concentrations at 24 hours were 5,495.0 µg/ml (SD 2,360.5) for vancomycin and 186.4 µg/ml (SD 254.3) for meropenem. The half-life of vancomycin was 6 hours, while that of meropenem ranged between 2 and 3.5 hours. No significant adverse events related to the antibiotic administration were observed. This method can achieve sustained high antibiotic concentrations within the joint space, exceeding the reported minimum biofilm eradication concentration. Our study highlights the remarkable effectiveness of intra-articular antibiotic infusion in delivering high intra-articular concentrations of antibiotics. The method provided sustained high antibiotic concentrations within the joint cavity, and no severe side-effects were observed. These findings offer evidence to improve clinical treatment strategies. However, further validation is required through studies with larger sample sizes and higher levels of evidence.

Use of Lasers in the Nonsurgical Treatment of Peri-Implantitis: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Peri-implantitis is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the tissue surrounding an implant. The aim of this systematic review of the literature is to assess the effect of the use of lasers in the nonsurgical treatment of peri-implantitis in order to estimate its benefits compared with conventional therapies. The review's protocol has been registered on PROSPERO international prospective register. The research strategy was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria were as follows: in vivo studies, written in English, measurements of clinical parameters, minimum follow-up at 6 months and with nonsurgical control group, studies about photodynamic therapy, randomized clinical trial, and clinical trial. Electronic (on PubMed, Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and Report Evidence-based Practice Centers databases) and manual searches (in articles' references) were conducted until July 2021. Risk of bias was assessed for each reference thanks to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. A total of 12 randomized clinical trials, with a high level of evidence, were selected and investigated in this systematic review. A table summarizes data extracted from these articles. It appears that the parameters improve favorably by using lasers, but without any significant difference. In accordance with the analysis of studies, our results show that laser therapy with specific characteristics allows to obtain beneficial therapeutic effects on wound healing in the short and the medium-term concerning the clinical parameters in the nonsurgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Concerning its long-term usefulness, it has yet to be confirmed. However, its benefits remains limited since the results agree that the effects of the laser are similar to those obtained by using conventional therapy.

Acute and Critical Care Nurses' Roles in Mass Shootings: An Integrative Review.

From 2018 to 2022, mass shooting incidents in the United States increased by 67.7%. Health care-associated shootings also increased. The role of acute and critical care nurses during shootings is not well defined in the literature. To identify roles of acute and critical care nurses during mass shooting incidents and provide best-practice recommendations for shooting incidents within a hospital. The methods of Whittemore, Knafl, and Torraco informed this integrative review. Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases were searched for publications related to acute and critical care nurses, mass shooting incidents, and hospital setting. Of 13 589 articles retrieved, 27 were included; 63% were narrative reviews. The highest level of evidence was an expert consensus panel; next highest was a quasi-experimental study that simulated experiences to test mass casualty incident response. Third highest was a qualitative study that analyzed nurses' experiences during a mass casualty experience. The evidence revealed 3 themes: prevention and preparedness, response to incident, and recovery phase. Education and training for acute and critical care nurses about mass shooting incidents are central to defining nurses' roles and best practices for these incidents. Nurses must know Stop the Bleed techniques and run-hide-fight protocols. Additionally, acute and critical care nurses need representation on hospital committees to develop and implement policies and procedures. Hospitals are not immune to mass shooting incidents. Acute and critical care nurses require education including simulations and drills on mass shooting incidents to ensure safety of nurses and patients.

A Review of the Vitiligo Literature to Standardize Expression of Disease Severity.

The literature on vitiligo is heterogeneous with limited standardization in vitiligo disease severity reporting. The IDEOM Vitiligo Workgroup initiated a project to develop an improved understanding of clinical reporting of vitiligo severity. A medical librarian-developed literature review identified 50 clinical trials treating vitiligo topically using topical corticosteroids or topical tacrolimus that included adult and pediatric patients, with 10 or more patients, with grading by SORT criteria. Grading systems used included body surface area scoring (BSA) clinically or via photography and mapping. Most studies create a grading system of repigmentation including G0- no change, G1- 1-25%, G2- 26-50%, G3- 51-75%, G4- 75-99%, and G5- 100%. Variations include reporting success as thresholds &gt;25% (G2-G5), &gt;50% (G3-G5), and &gt;75% (G4-G5) repigmentation. Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), patient satisfaction, and the vitiligo noticeability scale are all standardized scoring systems that have been used in clinical studies. Other metrics reported include onset and maintenance of response, treatment burden, side effects, and cost-effectiveness. BSA total and quartiles of improvement are the most commonly reported metrics in studies with high-level evidence. The addition of categories of no improvement, complete clearance, spontaneous improvement, and worsening appears to enhance information collection. Collection of data using photographs or computer-assisted BSA monitoring enhances data reproducibility. Thresholds of success should include 25%, 50%, 75%, and adding 90% and 100% repigmentation. VASI represents a validated collection method, which can be modified for 50%, 75%, and 90% improvement. Newer metrics including treatment burden and cost effectiveness are emerging metrics under evaluation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(10):842-846. doi:10.36849/JDD.8049.

A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of topical oestradiol gel for endometrial regeneration after induced abortion.

Is topical oestradiol gel effective in promoting endometrial regeneration after a surgical abortion? Topical oestradiol gel is effective in promoting endometrial regeneration after a surgical abortion with few side-effects. Oestrogen is effective in promoting endometrial regeneration. Transdermal oestrogen has been widely used in clinical practice for endometrial regeneration after induced abortion, but high-level evidence is limited. We conducted a multicentre, superiority, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Between 9 March 2022 and 21 February 2023, 200 women were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either oestradiol gel (treatment) and or oestradiol gel simulant (control) for 28 days. The participants were scheduled to have their endometrial thickness (mm) measured by ultrasonographic scan at 21-23 days post-abortion. The trial was blinded for participants, investigators, medical staff, and statistical analysts until final unblinding. Participants were women undergoing induced abortion within 10 weeks of gestation. A total of 200 participants were enrolled, with 100 in each group. Eighty-eight (88%) in the treatment group and 82 (82%) in the control group completed the study as per the protocol and were included in the per-protocol set (PPS). The intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis included all participants randomized to the study groups and used inverse probability weighting to account for loss to follow-up. The ITT analysis showed revealed significantly greater endometrial thickness in the treatment group (mean 8.1 ± 2.5 mm) compared to the control group (mean 6.9 ± 2.1 mm) 21-23 days postabortion (mean difference 1.2 mm, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.9; P < 0.001). The median time to menstrual return was shorter in the treatment group (34 days, inter-quartile range [IQR] 30-38) than in the control group (35 days, IQR 32-42), with a difference of -1 day (95% CI -2.3 to -0.9; P = 0.036). No differences were observed in the timing or volume of bleeding in the first post-abortion cycle. The PPS analysis mirrored the ITT findings. Adverse events were minimal (6% versus 8%), and the blood profile, liver, kidney and coagulation test results were comparable between groups (all P > 0.05). Loss to follow-up was 11% in the treatment group and 15% of controls, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). Inconsistencies in the timing of the ultrasonographic scans may have affected the accuracy of endometrial thickness measurements. Our findings suggest that topical oestrogen supplementation immediately after abortion within the first 10 weeks of gestation improves endometrial regeneration and growth, thereby potentially increasing the chances of a successful subsequent pregnancy. Clinical application of these findings may improve endometrial health management practices and provide a perspective on fertility treatment and women's reproductive health. This study was supported by a grant (FW-HKKT2021111501900) from Jianmin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd (JMPG), Wuhan, Hubei, China. Both the oestradiol gel and the simulant were provided by JMPG. The funding source had no role in the study. X.Y.L. reports JMPG grant funding paid to their institutions. All other authors declare no competing interests. CHiCTR2100053565. 24 November 2021. 9 March 2022.