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Selected AbstractsA systematic review of the effectiveness of smoking relapse prevention interventions for abstinent smokersADDICTION, Issue 8 2010Shade Agboola ABSTRACT Aims To carry out a systematic review of the effectiveness of relapse prevention interventions (RPIs) among abstinent smokers who had completed an initial course of treatment or who had abstained unassisted, pooling only outcome data from similar follow-up time points. Methods We used the same search strategy as was used in Cochrane reviews of RPIs to identify randomized trials of behavioural and pharmacological studies of smoking RPIs published up to July 2008. Abstinence from smoking was defined as either continuous abstinence or point prevalence abstinence, measured at three follow-up time points: short term (1,3 months post randomization), medium term (6,9 months) and long term (12,18 months). Abstinence among pregnant/postpartum women was also measured at delivery or the last follow-up prior to delivery. Random effect meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Thirty-six studies randomizing abstainers were included. Self-help materials appeared to be effective in preventing relapse at long-term follow up in initially unaided quitters (pooled OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.01, I2 = 0%, NNT = 11, 3 studies). Other behavioural interventions for relapse prevention appeared effective in the short term only. There were positive results for the use of pharmacotherapies for relapse prevention. Bupropion was effective at long-term follow-up (pooled OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.01; I2 = 0%; NNT = 11; 4 studies). Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was effective at medium-term (pooled OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.16 to 2.11; I2 = 37%; NNT = 14; 4 trials) and long-term follow-ups (pooled OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.63; I2 = 0%; NNT = 20; 4 trials). Single trials of extended treatment of Varenicline and rimonabant were also found to be effective at short-term and medium-term follow-ups. Conclusions Self-help materials appear to prevent relapse in initially unaided quitters. Use of NRT, bupropion and varenicline appears to be effective in preventing relapse following an initial period of abstinence or an acute treatment episode. There is currently no good evidence that behavioural support prevents relapse after initial unaided abstinence or following an acute treatment period. [source] MTHFR 677C>T and ACE D/I Polymorphisms in Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisHEADACHE, Issue 4 2010Markus Schürks MD (Headache 2010;50:588-599) Background., Data on the association between the MTHFR 677C>T and ACE D/I polymorphisms and migraine including aura status are conflicting. Objective., The objective of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on this topic. Methods., We searched for studies published until March 2009 using electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index) and reference lists of studies and reviews on the topic. Assessment for eligibility of studies and extraction of data was performed by 2 independent investigators. For each study we calculated the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) assuming additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models. We then calculated pooled ORs and 95% CIs. Results., Thirteen studies investigated the association between the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and migraine. The TT genotype was associated with an increased risk for any migraine, which only appeared for migraine with aura (pooled OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.02-2.13), but not for migraine without aura. Nine studies investigated the association of the ACE D/I polymorphism with migraine. The II genotype was associated with a reduced risk for migraine with aura (pooled OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.93) and migraine without aura (pooled OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-0.99). Results for both variants were driven by studies in non-Caucasian populations. Results among Caucasians did not suggest an association. Extractable data did not allow investigation of gene,gene interactions. Conslusions., The MTHFR 677TT genotype is associated with an increased risk for migraine with aura, while the ACE II genotype is protective against both migraine with and without aura. Results for both variants appeared only among non-Caucasian populations. There was no association among Caucasians. [source] Helicobacter pylori Infection and Iron Stores: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisHELICOBACTER, Issue 5 2008Khitam Muhsen Abstract Background and Aims:, We carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the existing evidence on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and iron stores. Methods:, Twelve case reports and case series, 19 observational epidemiologic studies and six intervention trials were included in the review. Results:, Although only few studies controlled for multiple potential confounders, most studies reported a positive association, linking between H. pylori and decreased body iron stores in symptomatic and asymptomatic H. pylori -infected subjects. H. pylori infection may be regarded as a risk factor for reduction in body iron stores and also for iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, especially in high-risk groups. The results of the meta-analysis of thoroughly designed and analyzed studies revealed an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia; pooled odds ratio (OR) 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9, 4.2) and also for iron deficiency; pooled OR 1.38 (95%CI 1.16,1.65) among H. pylori -infected subjects. The biologic mechanism by which H. pylori induces the alteration in the iron stores is not fully understood, but it seems to involve several pathways, including gastrointestinal blood loss, decrease in the absorption of dietary iron, and enhanced uptake of the iron by the bacterium. Conclusions:,H. pylori is associated with reduced iron stores. Future research is needed to determine whether this relationship is a causal association and to better understand its biologic mechanism. The impact of anti- H. pylori therapy on improvement of iron stores needs to be further evaluated in large and well-controlled trials. [source] A systematic review of prophylactic antimicrobials in PEG placementJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2009Allyson Lipp Aim., To establish whether prophylactic systemic antimicrobials reduce the risk of peristomal infection in placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies. Background., Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies, placed surgically through the anterior abdominal wall, maintain nutrition in the short or long term. Those undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement are often vulnerable to infection. The increasing incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contributes an additional risk to the debate surrounding antibiotic prophylaxis. The aim of antimicrobial prophylaxis is to establish a bactericidal concentration of an antimicrobial drug in the patient, during placement. Design., Systematic review. Methods., We searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (July 2006); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 2); handsearched wound care journals, relevant conference proceedings and bibliographies of publications identified, and contacted manufacturers and distributors of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy products. Randomised controlled trials were selected evaluating the use of prophylactic antimicrobials for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, with no restrictions for language, date or publication status. Both authors performed data extraction and assessment of study quality. Meta-analysis was performed where appropriate. Results., Ten eligible randomised controlled trials were identified evaluating prophylactic antimicrobials in 1100 patients. All trials reported peristomal infection as an outcome and a pooled analysis resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of peristomal infection with prophylactic antibiotics (pooled OR 0·31, 95% CI 0·22,0·44). The relative reduction in risk of infection for those given antibiotics was 19% with the need to treat 5·8 patients to prevent one infection , NNT. Conclusions., Administration of systemic prophylactic antibiotics for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement reduces peristomal infection. Relevance to clinical practice., The nurse's role in endoscopy is expanding rapidly and demands that practice is based on the best available evidence. This systematic review seeks to make a contribution to best practice in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement. [source] Cisapride treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux in children: A systematic review of randomized controlled trialsJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2000R E Gilbert Abstract: The aim of the systematic review was to determine the effect of cisapride compared with placebo or other non-surgical therapies for the treatment of symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux in children. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Science Citation Index and reference lists for randomized controlled trials which compared cisapride with placebo or other non-surgical therapy in children. We included only trials which reported reflux-related symptoms as an outcome, provided that cisapride was administered orally for at least 1 week. Seven trials (286 children in total) compared cisapride with placebo. Two trials reported good concealment of treatment allocation. The pooled odds ratio for the ,same or worse' symptoms was 0.34 (95%CI 0.10, 1.19). There was substantial heterogeneity between studies (P < 0.00001) and the funnel plot was asymmetrical. Adverse effects (mainly diarrhoea) were not significantly increased with cisapride (pooled odds ratio (OR) 1.80: 0.87, 3.70). The reflux index was significantly reduced in children treated with cisapride (weighted mean difference ,6.49: ,10.13, ,2.85). One study (50 children) compared cisapride with gaviscon plus carobel: the OR for the ,same or worse' symptoms was 3.26 (0.93, 11.38). There was no clear evidence that cisapride reduced symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux. As smaller, poorer quality studies were biased in favour of a positive treatment effect, the pooled OR overestimated the potential benefits of cisapride. There was some evidence to suggest that gaviscon plus carobel may be a more effective option than cisapride. [source] Association of a specific ERAP1/ARTS1 haplotype with disease susceptibility in ankylosing spondylitisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2009W. P. Maksymowych Objective Alterations in antigen processing have been proposed to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A non,major histocompatibility complex gene encoding an endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase, ERAP1, has been implicated recently. This study assessed 13 coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 5 genes involved in antigen processing (ERAP1, TAP1, TAP2, LMP2, and LMP7) in 3 Canadian cohorts of patients with AS, to address the possibility of gene interactions in disease susceptibility. Methods The study involved 992 AS cases and 1,437 controls from 3 centers (472 cases and 451 controls from Alberta, 138 cases and 392 controls from Newfoundland, and 382 cases and 594 controls from Toronto). Most of the patients with AS and healthy, unrelated controls were Caucasians of northern European descent. Single-marker and haplotype associations were determined using an allelic likelihood ratio test in UNPHASED, version 3.0.12, and the WHAP program, respectively. P values for significance of haplotype associations were calculated using a permutation test. Results A specific ERAP1 haplotype, rs27044/10050860/30187-CCT, was strongly associated with increased risk of AS in all 3 case,control cohorts (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.46,2.24; P = 7 × 10,8), while a second specific ERAP1 haplotype, rs30187/26618/26653-CTG, reduced the disease risk (pooled OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67,0.88; P = 9 × 10,5). Significant associations were also noted for 3 ERAP1 SNP variants (rs10050860, rs30187, and rs26653), although no significant haplotype interaction between ERAP1 and TAP/LMP loci was evident. Conclusion These data indicate that an AS disease locus may reside on a specific ERAP1 haplotype, and its effect is not multiplicative with contributions from TAP and LMP genes. 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