Methodological quality assessment of network meta-analysis of drug interventions: implications from a systematic review.

Background: We aimed to determine the methodological quality of network meta-analyses (NMAs) and their compliance with reporting guidelines.

Methods: A systematic review of NMAs comparing any pharmacological interventions was performed (searches in Medline and Scopus). The characteristics of NMAs were collected by two independent reviewers.

Discontinuation of non-anti-TNF drugs for rheumatoid arthritis in interventional versus observational studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for the assessment of clinical outcomes, long-term extension trials (LTEs) and observational cohorts may help generate evidence. Our goal was to compare the discontinuation rates of abatacept, rituximab, and tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reported in different study designs.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted with searches in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, plus a manual search, for RCTs, LTEs, and observational cohorts reporting discontinuation rates by any of three causes (all-cause, inefficacy, adverse events).

Cost-effectiveness of amphotericin B formulations in the treatment of systemic fungal infections.

Amphotericin formulations, indicated for invasive fungal infections (IFIs), vary in effectiveness, safety and costs. In Brazil, only the conventional formulation is provided by the Public Health System. The aim of this study was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing conventional amphotericin B (CAB), liposomal amphotericin B (LAB) and amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC).

Mapping the characteristics of network meta-analyses on drug therapy: A systematic review.

Background: Network meta-analysis (NMA) is a new tool developed to overcome some limitations of pairwise meta-analyses. NMAs provide evidence on more than two comparators simultaneously. This study aimed to map the characteristics of the published NMAs on drug therapy comparisons.

DIRECT COSTS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES: A BRAZILIAN COST-OF-ILLNESS STUDY.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct costs of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated in a Brazilian public hospital.

Methods: This was an exploratory retrospective cost-of-illness study with quantitative approach, using medical records of patients treated in a public hospital (2012-14), with at least one consultation over a period of 12 months. Data on patient's profile, exams, number of consultations, medications, hospitalizations, and comorbidities were collected.

Efficacy and safety of amphotericin B formulations: a network meta-analysis and a multicriteria decision analysis.

Objectives: Despite its broad spectrum, conventional amphotericin B (AB) is associated with serious adverse events. Lipid-based formulations may offer safer options. We aimed to synthesize the evidence of efficacy and safety of AB formulations.

Rapid virological response of telaprevir and boceprevir in a Brazilian cohort of HCV genotype 1 patients: a multicenter longitudinal study.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C is a major public health issue, but there is a gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antiviral agents in the Brazilian population. The main aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness of boceprevir and telaprevir in patients treated at public health care institutions in Brazil.

Materials And Methods: A prospective longitudinal and multicenter study was conducted in five centers in the State of Paraná between September 2014 and June 2016.

Efficacy and safety of amphotericin B lipid-based formulations-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Invasive fungal infections, an important cause of mortality, are primarily treated using amphotericin B, which is available in different formulations, both conventional and lipid-based (liposomal, lipid complex, colloidal dispersion and Intralipid infusion). The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy and safety of conventional amphotericin B vs its lipid-based formulations. A systematic review followed by pairwise meta-analysis was performed, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the use of lipid-based amphotericin B in patients with any degree of immunosuppression and susceptibility to invasive fungal infection.

Network meta-analysis of first- and second-generation protease inhibitors for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1: efficacy based on RVR and SVR 24.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy among direct-acting antiviral agents (first and second-generation direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs)) with placebo and with standard dual therapy (pegylated interferon + ribavirin (Peg-IFN + RBV)) in terms of rapid virologic response (RVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 treatment.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Cochrane Library, SCIELO, and Scopus and conducted a network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of boceprevir (BOC), daclatasvir (DCV), grazoprevir, simeprevir (SMV) and telaprevir (TVR), in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients.

Results: Sixteen studies encompassing 7171 patients were analysed.

Impact of Natural Juice Consumption on Plasma Antioxidant Status: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Oxidative stress may lead to overproduction of reactive species and a decrease in antioxidant defenses, resulting in chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The consumption of natural compounds with an antioxidant profile may be a preventive alternative. Therefore, we aimed to obtain evidence regarding the potential antioxidant activity of juices in human plasma.