Medicine
-
Herpes zoster (HZ) is mainly characterized by intense pain and severe skin lesions, particularly during the acute phase, which seriously affects the patient's quality of life. Acupuncture is a widely used and effective treatment for HZ. However, there are many types of acupuncture, which have different curative efficacy. This study employed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess and rank the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture therapies. ⋯ This study indicated that therapies related to acupuncture were both effective and safe in treating acute HZ, and could significantly reduce patients' symptoms such as pain and skin lesions with fewer adverse events. Clinically, the selection of the appropriate therapy should be based on practical considerations. However, due to the limitations of this study, more high-quality trials are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related therapy for the treatment of acute HZ.
-
Meta Analysis
Incretin-based drugs decrease the incidence of prostate cancer in type 2 diabetics: A pooling-up analysis.
Incretin-based drugs, a class of Antidiabetic medications (ADMs) used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, may affect the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa). But real-world evidence for this possible effect is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the effect of incretin-based drugs on the incidence of PCa, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. ⋯ Compared with the control group, we found that incretin-based drugs reduced the relative risk of PCa by 35% (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.17-0.49; P = .0006). In subgroup analysis, the RR values for GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors were 62% (95% CI, 0.45-0.85; P = .003) and 72% (95% CI, 0.46-1.12; P = .14), respectively. Incretin-based drugs are associated with lower incidence of prostate cancer and may have a preventive effect on prostate cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes.
-
Review Case Reports
Case report of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy with a review of the relevant research.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a syndrome characterized by widespread blood vessel clotting and bleeding. It can affect individuals of any age but is more commonly observed in females, particularly during pregnancy. Pregnancy combined with TTP is a critical and rapidly progressing condition that is often misdiagnosed as an obstetric disorder like severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. To deepen the understanding of TTP during pregnancy with the help of a clinical case. ⋯ The acute onset of TTP is often associated with pregnancy, as it is a triggering factor. Timely identification, accurate diagnosis, and a comprehensive treatment approach involving plasma exchange, immunosuppressants, and the termination of pregnancy can lead to remission and a favorable outlook for the majority of patients.
-
Meta Analysis
Correlation between allergic rhinitis or hay fever and lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The association between allergies and cancer is contradictory, whereas some forms of cancer have inverse associations with allergies. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most prevalent form of allergy, and lung cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer with the highest mortality rate. Recent studies have reported a positive association between asthma and lung cancer; however, this association is inconclusive. Furthermore, AR is positively associated with asthma; therefore, our research question was to explore whether there is any correlation between AR and lung cancer epidemiologically. ⋯ The current meta-analysis suggests an inverse relationship between AR and lung cancer; however, new epidemiological studies are required to observe the current scenario more comprehensively.
-
Review
Mirvetuximab soravtansine: A breakthrough in targeted therapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer, ranked as the second leading cause of gynecologic malignancy-related deaths globally, poses a formidable challenge despite advances in early detection and treatment modalities. This paper explores the efficacy and safety of mirvetuximab soravtansine, the first folate receptor alpha (FRα)-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer expressing FRα. A review of 4 key studies involving 453 participants consistently demonstrates mirvetuximab soravtansine's clinically meaningful antitumor activity and favorable safety profile. ⋯ The reliability of archival tissue for FRα assessment simplifies patient selection, streamlining accessibility to targeted therapies. However, identified gaps, including limited diversity in patient populations, sparse quality of life data, and the need for long-term safety information, indicate areas for future research. Exploration of additional biomarkers predicting mirvetuximab soravtansine responsiveness is essential for personalized treatment.