Electrosurgical Devices Used During Laparoscopic Hysterectomy.

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States and most are now being performed in a minimally invasive approach. Electrosurgery and vessel sealing devices are needed in order to provide hemostasis and vascular coaptation; however, there is no guiding evidence and limited recommendations for the use of the currently available devices for laparoscopic hysterectomy. The purpose of this study is to provide a systematic review of electrosurgical devices used in benign hysterectomy and perform a meta-analysis to find the overall effect of various outcomes.

Instruments evaluating the duration and pace of clinical encounters: A scoping review.

Objective: Hurried encounters in clinical settings contribute to dissatisfaction among both patients and clinicians and may indicate and contribute to low-quality care. We sought to identify patient- or clinician-reported instruments concerning this experience of time in clinical encounters.

Methods: We searched multiple databases from inception through July 2023.

Cigarette Smoking and Observed Growth of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Smoking and observed growth of intracranial aneurysms are known risk factors for rupture. The mechanism by which smoking increases this risk is not completely elucidated. Furthermore, an association between smoking and aneurysm growth has not been clearly defined in the literature.

Safety of Triptans in Patients Who Have or Are at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: A Target Trial Emulation.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of triptans in migraine patients with cardiovascular disease or elevated cardiovascular risk.

Patients And Methods: We retrieved data from a multistate US-based health system (January 2000 to August 2022) on adults with migraine and confirmed cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease, or at least two cardiovascular risk factors. We compared the effect of triptans to nontriptan treatments on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and its components at 60 days of starting treatments.

Home and Community-Based Services: A Systematic Review and Evidence Map.

Background: Many adults aged 60 years or older have functional limitations and require home and community-based services (HCBS) to support their independence and delay the transition to an institutionalized setting. This systematic review provides an evidence map of the existing literature on HCBS identifying evidence gaps for policy and research.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of multiple databases including Medline, Embase, and Scopus was conducted through December 7, 2023.

A Systematic Review Supporting the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines on Vitamin D.

Context: Low vitamin D status is common and is associated with various common medical conditions.

Objective: To support the development of the Endocrine Society's Clinical Practice Guideline on Vitamin D for the Prevention of Disease.

Methods: We searched multiple databases for studies that addressed 14 clinical questions prioritized by the guideline panel.

Imaging-based noninvasive liver disease assessment for staging liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease: A systematic review supporting the AASLD Practice Guideline.

Background And Aims: Transient elastography (TE), shear wave elastography, and/or magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), each providing liver stiffness measurement (LSM), are the most studied imaging-based noninvasive liver disease assessment (NILDA) techniques. To support the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases guidelines on NILDA, we summarized the evidence on the accuracy of these LSM methods to stage liver fibrosis (F).

Approach And Results: A comprehensive search for studies assessing LSM by TE, shear wave elastography, or MRE for the identification of significant fibrosis (F2-4), advanced fibrosis (F3-4), or cirrhosis (F4), using histopathology as the standard of reference by liver disease etiology in adults or children from inception to April 2022 was performed.

Accuracy of blood-based biomarkers for staging liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease: A systematic review supporting the AASLD Practice Guideline.

Background And Aims: Blood-based biomarkers have been proposed as an alternative to liver biopsy for noninvasive liver disease assessment in chronic liver disease. Our aims for this systematic review were to evaluate the diagnostic utility of selected blood-based tests either alone, or in combination, for identifying significant fibrosis (F2-4), advanced fibrosis (F3-4), and cirrhosis (F4), as compared to biopsy in chronic liver disease.

Approach And Results: We included a comprehensive search of databases including Ovid MEDLINE(R), EMBASE, Cochrane Database, and Scopus through to April 2022.

Noninvasive liver disease assessment to identify portal hypertension: Systematic and narrative reviews supporting the AASLD Practice Guideline.

Background And Aims: Portal hypertension is a serious complication of cirrhosis, which leads to life-threatening complications. HVPG, a surrogate of portal pressure, is the reference standard test to assess the severity of portal hypertension. However, since HVPG is limited by its invasiveness and availability, noninvasive liver disease assessments to assess portal pressure, especially clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH), are needed.

Targeting the Angiotensin Pathway in the Treatment of Cutaneous Fibrosis: A Systematic Review.

Acting on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are mechanisms of some of the most prescribed medications in the world. In addition to their routine use for the treatment of hypertension, such agents have gained attention for their influence on the angiotensin receptor pathway in fibrotic skin disorders, including scars and keloids. To evaluate the current level of evidence supporting the use of these agents, a systematic review related to ACE-Is/ARBs and cutaneous scarring was conducted.

GRADE GUIDANCE 38: Updated guidance for rating up certainty of evidence due to a dose-response gradient.

Introduction: This updated guidance from the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation addresses rating up certainty of evidence due to a dose-response gradient (DRG) observed in synthesis of intervention and exposure studies.

Study Design And Setting: This guidance was developed using iterative discussions and consensus in multiple meetings and was presented to attendees of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Working Group meeting for feedback in November 2022 and for final approval in May 2023.

Results: The guidance consists of two steps.

Interventions to Increase Cancer Screening Adherence Among Somali Immigrants in the US and Europe: A Systematic Review.

Cancer screening rates among immigrant and refugee populations in high income countries is significantly lower than native born populations. The objective of this study is to systematically review the effectiveness of interventions to improve screening adherence for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer among Somali immigrants. A literature search was conducted for the years 2000-2021 and eight studies met eligibility criteria.

Cardiovascular disease in space: A systematic review.

Background: With expanding commercial space programs, uncertainty remains about the cardiovascular effects of space environmental exposures including microgravity, confinement, isolation, space radiation, and altered bacterial virulence. Current limited data suggests additional health threats compared to Earth.

Methods: We systematically reviewed PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane databases for prospective studies on spaceflight and cardiovascular outcomes.

Partial breast irradiation compared with whole breast irradiation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Early-stage breast cancer is among the most common cancer diagnoses. Adjuvant radiotherapy is an essential component of breast-conserving therapy, and several options exist for tailoring its extent and duration. This study assesses the comparative effectiveness of partial-breast irradiation (PBI) compared with whole-breast irradiation (WBI).

Association of Depression and Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading worldwide cause of mortality. There has been increased awareness of the impact of psychological health on cardiovascular disease. In particular, major depression has been linked to increased all-cause mortality, development of cardiovascular disease, and worse outcomes in those with existing cardiovascular disease.

Comparing Complication Rates of Midline Catheter vs Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midlines are commonly used devices for reliable vascular access. Infection and thrombosis are the main adverse effects of these catheters. We aimed to evaluate the relative risk of complications from midlines and PICCs.