Medicine
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Malnutrition is a relatively common and often unrecognized condition in stroke survivors, which may negatively affect functional recovery and survival. Though previous studies have indicated significant role of nutrition supplement for rehabilitation of patients with stroke, the results still remain controversy. ⋯ The present meta-analysis indicated no statistically significant effect of nutrition supplement on functional outcomes as well as disabilities, complication and laboratory outcomes for patients with stroke. However, it increased ADL and reduced the incidence of infections.
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Observational Study
Endoscopic evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Observational study of the experience in community practices.
Endoscopic screening is used widely to minimize the rates of colorectal cancer cases and deaths. During highly virulent infectious disease pandemics such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is essential to weigh the risks and benefits of receiving endoscopy, especially in regions with moderately high viral infection rates. An observational study was conducted to assess the number of patients seen for endoscopic procedure at 2 of our surgery centers. ⋯ This study considers the rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection along with the number of colorectal cancer cases encountered at a community endoscopy center to suggest that the benefits of undergoing endoscopic evaluation may outweigh the risks of attending an endoscopy procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the main reasons patients underwent endoscopic procedure was for colon cancer screenings (41.9%), and 5 of 1020 patients seen during the observation period were diagnosed with cancer. Of these 1020 patients, 8 were found to have positive tests for COVID-19 within 2 to 4 weeks after their procedure.
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The role of albumin in Parkinson disease (PD) is not well understood, our study will investigate the association between the serum albumin level and risk of dementia, motor impairment, as well as survival outcome in PD. Data were obtained from the publicly available dataset in the DRYAD database (https://datadryad.org/). The original prospective study enrolled patients with PD from a single center in Japan between March 2004 and November 2007. ⋯ As concentration serum albumin increased, the risk of severe motor impairment was grown [odds ratio (OR) 0.34 (95% CI 0.14,0.8), P = .013] after adjustment by age, sex, PD duration, MMSE scores, CRP level, and use of NSAIDs. Albumin levels increased per unit of mg/dL, and the risk of PD-related death reduced 0.74-fold with 95% CI (0.15, 0.86) (P = .021), independent of age, sex, PD disease duration, mHY stage, CRP levels, use of NSAIDs, and MMSE. Higher serum albumin levels were significantly association with the better cognitive function when albumin was <3.9 mg/dL, and played a protective role in severe motor impairment and PD-related death.
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Heart failure (HF) is considered the clinical endpoint of all cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Although a large number of HF drugs and therapies have been developed, it is still need to find therapies with better clinical efficacy and fewer side effects. The purpose of this systematic evaluation is to assess the efficacy and safety of Danshen decoction on HF and the improvement of cardiac function (CF). ⋯ This study will provide reliable evidence-based basis for the clinical application of Danshen decoction in the treatment of HF.
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Meta Analysis
Analysis of risk factors for bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
To explore the risk factors of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in China through meta-analysis. ⋯ In the present study, age (≥40 years), abnormal preoperative liver function, gallbladder wall thickening, acute and subacute inflammation of the gallbladder, cholecystolithiasis complicated with effusion, and anatomic variations of the gallbladder triangle were found to be closely associated with bile duct injury in LC.