Medicine
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Although many studies have investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) gene with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), but their association is still controversial. To clarify this, we performed a meta-analysis. Studies related to TGF-β1 and PF were retrieved from PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Wanfang (up to November 30, 2017). ⋯ Overall, no significant association between TGF-β1 rs1800470 and PF was found (T vs C: OR [95% CI] = 0.96 [0.80, 1.15]; TT vs CC: 0.87 [0.61, 1.22]; TT vs TC + CC: 0.80 [0.62, 1.04]; TT + TC vs CC: 1.13 [0.83, 1.54]). In subgroup analyses by ethnicity or original disease, no statistically significant association between TGF-β1 rs1800470 polymorphisms and PF was demonstrated. This meta-analysis revealed that TGF-β1 rs1800470 polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to PF development.
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Meta Analysis
Effect of single-dose intravenous dexamethasone on subjective voice quality after thyroidectomy: A meta-analysis.
Corticosteroids are widely used to treat voice change after thyroidectomy. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone after thyroidectomy using a metaanalysis. ⋯ Level 2a.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is associated with an increase in all-cause mortality. Studies regarding association among various body compositions in different inflamed states and the risk of CKD were rare. We aimed to evaluate the relationship among body composition, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level, and the risk of CKD. ⋯ Nevertheless, in subjects with elevated hsCRP level, overweight/obese group with a higher BFP had a lower risk of CKD as compared with overweight/obese with normal BFP group (for BMI ≧ 23 kg/m, high BFP/high hsCRP: odds ratio [OR] for CKD 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-3.17, P = .02; normal BFP/high hsCRP group: OR 2.32, 95% CI = 1.23-4.37, P = .01) after adjusting for various confounders. Our findings suggest that various body compositions in different inflamed states may interfere with the risk of CKD. These results provide an important method for the early detection of impaired renal function by identifying various body compositions and inflammation states to detect CKD at an earlier stage.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Study on syndrome differentiation and treatment in the management of chronic stable coronary artery disease to improve quality of life.
Chronic stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) is a general term for all kinds of coronary artery disease (CAD), which includes patients with chronic stable angina, old myocardial infarctions, and also stable condition after revascularization (i.e., percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft). According to 2012 AHA/ACC guidelines, the objective of the treatment for SCAD is to maintain or recover patients' exercise tolerance, quality of life, and avoid complication like heart failure, so as to decrease mortality, eliminate symptoms, and avoid adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has 2000 years of history in managing CAD and has its advantages in improving quality of life. Using scientific method to evaluate, demonstrate, and conclude the clinical curative effect of TCM is an extremely important task for both TCM and integrative Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of CAD. ⋯ This research, based on past syndromes research and real clinical effective chronic SCAD cases, aim to build a TCM diagnosis and treatment information database.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Clinical and cost-effectiveness of collaborative traditional Korean and Western medicine treatment for low back pain: A protocol for a prospective observational exploratory study.
In South Korea, a few patients with low back pain (LBP) are currently being treated with a combination of traditional Korean medicine (KM) and Western medicine (WM). Although a recent research has reported results regarding patient satisfaction and exploratory effectiveness, evidence of comparative effectiveness still needs to be reviewed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of KM and WM collaborative treatment (CT) compared with that of sole treatment (ST) for patients with LBP in Korea. ⋯ This study will provide clinical and economic information about CT for LBP, which might be a milestone for establishing future polices about this collaboration in Korea.