Systematic Review: Safety and Efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnant Women.

Since pregnant women were excluded from clinical trials for vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is limited data on the safety and efficacy of vaccines in this population. This systematic review explored the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines in pregnant women. A literature search was performed using Ovid databases through November 2021 for all studies evaluated efficacy and safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women.

Relative Abundance and Detection of from Chronic Wound Infections Globally.

is a difficult-to-treat pathogen that is frequently involved with chronic wound infections. Here, we conducted a literature search of world-wide studies published between 2005 and 2022 that described the microbiological profiles of chronic wound infections. For each continent, a hierarchy of pathogens was created to define the organisms that were most frequently isolated in each region.

A Longitudinal Evidence-Based Medicine Curriculum and Its Impact on the Attitudes and Perceptions of Student Pharmacists.

To describe a longitudinal evidence-based medicine (EBM) curriculum and to evaluate its impact on the attitudes and perceptions of student pharmacists toward EBM. Western University of Health Sciences has had a structured, longitudinal, EBM curriculum for more than 10 years, spanning the first to third years, including the introductory experiential experiences. A survey was administered prior to the main EBM course and at the completion of the course at three time periods to assess student pharmacists' attitudes and perceptions of EBM and interactive pedagogical methods.

Effect of chromium supplementation on glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Chromium (Cr) is a trace element involved in glucose homeostasis. We aim to evaluate and quantify the effects of Cr supplementation on A1C and FPG in patients with T2DM.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature search of Pubmed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library (from database inception to 11/2014) with no language restrictions sought RCTs or cohort studies evaluating Cr supplementation in T2DM vs control and reporting either change in glycated hemoglobin (A1C) or fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

A systematic review of treatment of intermittent claudication in the lower extremities.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease is common and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized trials and systematic reviews of patients with intermittent claudication to evaluate surgery, endovascular therapy, and exercise therapy. Outcomes of interest were death, amputation, walking distance, quality of life, measures of blood flow, and cost.

Pharmacologic interventions for painful diabetic neuropathy: An umbrella systematic review and comparative effectiveness network meta-analysis.

Background: Multiple treatments for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy are available.

Purpose: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of oral and topical analgesics for diabetic neuropathy.

Data Sources: Multiple electronic databases between January 2007 and April 2014, without language restriction.

Cinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Cinnamon has been studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for its glycemic-lowering effects, but studies have been small and show conflicting results. A prior meta-analysis did not show significant results, but several RCTs have been published since then. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating cinnamon's effect on glycemia and lipid levels.

Effect of Biologic Agents on Non-PASI Outcomes in Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.

Introduction: The objective of this review was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis and Bayesian mixed treatment comparisons (MTC) evaluating the impact of biologics on non-Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) health outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods: MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1966 to May 2009. Citations were screened for randomized, controlled trials of biologics versus either placebo or each other in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and reported any of several outcomes.

Pharmacologic interventions for painful diabetic neuropathy: an umbrella systematic review and comparative effectiveness network meta-analysis (Protocol).

Background: Neuropathic pain can reduce the quality of life and independence of 30% to 50% of patients with diabetes. The comparative effectiveness of analgesics for patients with diabetic neuropathy remains unclear. The aim of the current work, therefore, was to summarize the evidence about the analgesic effectiveness of the most common oral and topical agents used for the treatment of peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Systematic review and adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis of oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Oral anticoagulants such as apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban are alternatives to warfarin for preventing events in patients with atrial fibrillation. Direct comparative studies between agents are unavailable. Our objective was to conduct an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis between new oral agents in atrial fibrillation.

Oral antidiabetic drugs and regression from prediabetes to normoglycemia: a meta-analysis.

Background: Impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, and elevated hemoglobin A(1c) are intermediate stages, considered prediabetes, a precursor to overt type 2 diabetes mellitus. Prediabetes is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, independent of diabetes development. Data have shown that various oral antidiabetic drugs can help people regress from prediabetes to normoglycemia.

Efficacy and safety of innovator versus generic drugs in patients with epilepsy: a systematic review.

Generic antiepileptic drugs achieve blood concentrations similar to those of innovator drugs in healthy volunteers, but their comparative effectiveness has not been well evaluated. Thus, we assessed the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of innovator versus generic antiepileptic drugs. We searched the MEDLINE database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science for studies that evaluated innovator and generic antiepileptic drugs in patients with epilepsy and reported data on prespecified outcomes.

Association between CHADS₂risk factors and anticoagulation-related bleeding: a systematic literature review.

Objective: To determine the strength of evidence supporting an accentuated bleeding risk when patients with CHADS(2) risk factors (chronic heart failure, hypertension, advanced age, diabetes, and prior stroke/transient ischemic attack) receive warfarin.

Methods: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE (January 1, 1950, through December 22, 2009) and Cochrane CENTRAL (through December 22, 2009) was conducted to identify studies that reported multivariate results on the association between CHADS(2) covariates and risk of bleeding in patients receiving warfarin. Each covariate was evaluated for its association with a specific type of bleeding.

Dosing frequency of unfractionated heparin thromboprophylaxis: a meta-analysis.

Background: In medical patients, it is unclear whether thromboprophylaxis with low-dose unfractionated heparin (UFH) should be administered bid or tid.

Methods: This study was a mixed-treatment comparison meta-analysis of randomized control trials that enrolled hospitalized nonsurgical patients at risk for VTE and compared UFH bid, UFH tid, or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) to one another or to an inactive control subject. DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), major bleeding, and death were measured.

Intent to update systematic reviews: results of an internet survey.

Background: Updating a systematic review may be necessary when newer evidence is available. Several barriers to conducting updated systematic reviews have been hypothesized.

Aims: To conduct an Internet survey to identify the relationship between author and study characteristics and the intent to update a systematic review, to quantify this relationship, and to query authors about perceived barriers to updating.

Recombinant human growth hormone in the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Context: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) improves growth in patients with growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature. Its role in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is unclear.

Objective: To review the effectiveness of rhGH in the treatment of patients with CF.

The comparative efficacy of plant sterols and stanols on serum lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Plant sterols and stanols are plant steroids with a similar chemical structure and cellular function to human cholesterol, and are recommended as dietary modifiers of serum lipids. Plant sterols have a higher degree of absorption than plant stanols, suggesting differential efficacy between the two.

Design: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to summarize direct comparisons between the effect of plant sterols vs plant stanols on serum lipid levels in healthy patients and patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Effect of noninsulin antidiabetic drugs added to metformin therapy on glycemic control, weight gain, and hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes.

Context: Metformin is the recommended initial drug therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the optimal second-line drug when metformin monotherapy fails is unclear.

Objective: To determine the comparative efficacy, risk of weight gain, and hypoglycemia associated with noninsulin antidiabetic drugs in patients with type 2 DM not controlled by metformin alone.