Increased arterial stiffness in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Arterial function is a marker of early atherosclerotic changes and cardiovascular disease. Several studies have suggested the possible association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and increased arterial stiffness. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to better characterize this association.

Performance and psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) in older adults with Complicated Grief.

Background: Complicated Grief (CG) is a recently recognized bereavement-related mental health disorder. Social support is commonly measured with the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), a 40-item, 4-factor, self-report measure. Though the ISEL has been well-studied, no identified research has examined its psychometric properties or performance in older adults with CG.

Testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction And Aim: Endogenous sex hormones are associated with the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Recent studies suggested the role of these hormones in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies investigating the association between sex hormones and NAFLD.

Heparin-bridging therapy and risk of post-polypectomy bleeding: Meta-analysis of data reported by Japanese colonoscopists.

Background And Aim: Peri-procedural bridging (PPB) with heparin is recommended for patients with high thromboembolic risk who need to withhold antithrombotic therapy for colonoscopic polypectomy. However, little is known about the bleeding risk from heparin-bridging therapy itself.

Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched through January 2017 for studies that compared the risk of PPB in patients who received heparin-bridging therapy in lieu of antithrombotic agents for colonoscopic polypectomy and those who discontinued antithrombotic agents without receiving heparin.

Vitamin D and histologic severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: NAFLD and vitamin D deficiency often coexist and epidemiologic evidence has shown that both of these conditions share several risk factors. Recent studies investigating the relationship between vitamin D levels and severity of NAFLD showed conflicting results. Thus we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate association between vitamin D and NAFLD histologic severity.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on disease severity in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review.

Aim: Many randomized controlled trials have been performed on the efficacy and mechanism of action of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on psoriasis. However, contradictory results have been obtained. This study wants to assess the effects of n-3 PUFAs on the severity of psoriasis.

Hyperuricemia is not associated with severity of liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Uric acid is a natural antioxidant. Previous studies have suggested a protective role of hyperuricemia against liver fibrosis among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the results were conflicting.

Use of novel oral anticoagulant agents in venous thromboembolism.

New oral anticoagulants (NOAC) serve as alternatives for patients currently using warfarin for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. This article provides a brief summary of the clinical use of these drugs as well as a review of the landmark clinical trials which evaluated described their safety and efficacy. As more data becomes available, a fundamental understanding of these medications will be vital to cardiovascular practitioners managing patients with VTE.

Outcome of phlebotomy for treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/aims: No medications have been approved for managing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lifestyle intervention is the mainstay for its treatment. Hyperferritinemia, which appears to be associated with the severity of liver injury and insulin resistance, is frequently observed in patients with NAFLD.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several major risk factors for osteoporosis have been identified. One of these risk factors is chronic inflammation. Several recent studies have supported the association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which comprises a spectrum of disorders involving liver inflammation.

Ovarian Conservation and Overall Survival in Young Women With Early-Stage Cervical Cancer.

Objective: To identify predictors of ovarian conservation at hysterectomy and to examine the association of ovarian conservation and survival of young women with early-stage cervical cancer.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program to identify hysterectomy-based surgically treated patients with stage I cervical cancer diagnosed between 1983 and 2012 (N=16,511). Multivariable models were used to identify independent factors associated with ovarian conservation.

Bone mineral density is decreased in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous studies have shown that fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is associated with low level of physical activity and exercise, which may lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis. However, studies of bone mineral density (BMD) in fibromyalgia have shown conflicting results. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to better characterize the association between FMS and BMD.

Effects of statin therapy on arterial stiffness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.

Background: Arterial stiffness has been observed to be an independent predictor for cardiovascular events. Effects of cholesterol lowering agents (statins) on arterial stiffness are inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis of all RCTs investigating the impact of statin therapy on arterial properties.

Psoriasis increases risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies.

Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic immune-mediated dermatological disease that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between psoriasis and atrial fibrillation from prospective observational studies.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the databases of the MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed from inception through November 2015.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with coronary artery calcification: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated increased cardiovascular events and mortality. Coronary artery calcium scanning (CAC) is the robust predictor of coronary events in the asymptomatic individuals. Several recent studies have investigated the association between NAFLD and this surrogate marker.

Significant association between osteoporosis and hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: There is inconclusive evidence whether osteoporosis increases risk of hearing loss in current literature.

Objective: We conducted this meta-analysis to determine whether there is an association between hearing loss and osteoporosis.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted from studies of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS.

Perioperative blood transfusion predicts short term morbidity after nephrectomy.

Introduction: To assess 30-day morbidity and mortality following partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) with relation to the administration of perioperative blood transfusions PBT).

Materials And Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for patients with malignant renal tumors (International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision codes 189-189.2) who underwent RN (Current Procedure Terminology codes 50220, 50225, 50230, 50234, 50236, 50545, 50546, 50548) or PN (50240, 50543) between 2005-2013.

Risk of colorectal adenomas, advanced adenomas and cancer in patients with colonic diverticular disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Diverticular disease and colorectal neoplasia are common digestive disorders worldwide. Both diseases share epidemiological trends and certain risk factors including advancing age, physical inactivity, and Western diet and lifestyle. Studies assessing the association between these diseases reported inconsistent results.

Association between NSAIDs and Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective. Clostridium difficile infection is a leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in developed countries. Studies evaluating the associations of increased risk of community-acquired CDAD and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have yielded inconclusive results.

Perioperative blood transfusion in radical cystectomy: Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Objectives: To determine whether perioperative blood transfusion is associated with worse 30-day postoperative outcomes in radical cystectomy patients.

Methods: Utilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified 2934 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer (International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision codes 188-188.9) who underwent radical cystectomy (Current Procedure Terminology codes 51570, 51575, 51580, 51585, 51590, 51595, 51596) between 2005 and 2013.

Risk of nephrolithiasis, hyperoxaluria, and calcium oxalate supersaturation increased after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Earlier publications have shown renal stone complications after bariatric surgery. Multiple reports have also linked metabolic changes that alter the urinary chemistry profiles, especially hyperoxaluria, after bariatric surgery. However, evidence on change of other urine chemistry studies and type of bariatric surgery and risk of stone has been inconclusive so far.

Effects of visceral adipose tissue reduction on CVD risk factors independent of weight loss: The Look AHEAD study.

Objectives: To determine if the reduction of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume by lifestyle intervention improved risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) independent of weight loss amount.

Design: Ancillary study of randomized-controlled trial.

Setting: Data analysis using multivariable regression models.

Effects of caffeine consumption in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Increased caffeine consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of liver enzyme elevation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, few studies have assessed these effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C; therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of caffeine consumption in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of the databases of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from inception through November 2015.