ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the protocol is to present the methodology of a scoping review that aims to synthesise up-to-date evidence on the management and outcomes of facial nerve palsy in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review will be conducted per the Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual. The scoping review question, eligibility criteria and search strategy will be developed in accordance to the Population, Concept, and Context strategy. The search will be conducted in electronic bibliographic databases (Medline (OVID), Embase, WHO Global Index Medicus, Cochrane Library, Global Health, African Journals Online). The review will synthesise and report the findings with descriptive statistics and a narrative description of both quantitative and qualitative evidence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This scoping review does not require ethical approval. This protocol will describe the proposed scoping review that will map the evidence on the management and outcomes of facial nerve palsies in LMICs. The proposed review aims to collate and summarise published literature to inform policy-makers and healthcare organisations and governments and to identify knowledge gaps that will translate into future research priorities in LMICs.
Subject(s)
Developing Countries , Facial Nerve , Humans , Research Design , Paralysis , Review Literature as TopicABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent disease in the modern society. It can be defined as a group of metabolic diseases marked by chronic hyperglycemia arising from defects in insulin secretion or resistance to insulin action, or both. Its predecessor, prediabetes, is also an important entity, and its management is essential to prevent its progression to DM. Together, these entities burden global health and the world economy, and therefore, prevention and management are key to improving global health and reducing the financial burden on the world economy. Comprehensive lifestyle modification has been proven to be a safe and effective method for preventing the progression of prediabetes and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, exercise, and diets such as low-carbohydrate one, Mediterranean, and very low calorie diets are traditionally recommended. These particular diets aim to attain calorie deficits and thus induce weight loss. Intermittent fasting (IF) is one such diet that focuses more on the timing of calorie consumption. However, there are several methods of achieving this, which are highlighted in this review. IF has been shown to promote weight loss, reduce insulin resistance, improve glycemic control and lower the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, little literature is available regarding the use of IF in managing DM. This review intends to elucidate the role of intermittent fasting in preventing and treating DM, including its benefits and limitations. From the various studies reviewed in this article, it can be deduced that intermittent fasting can achieve suitable glycemic targets and weight control.
ABSTRACT
Acromegaly is an endocrine disorder characterized by dysregulated hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH), leading to an overproduction of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The etiology is usually a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma with the resultant presentation of coarse facial features, frontal bossing, arthritis, prognathism (protrusion of the mandible), and impaired glucose tolerance, among others. Most pituitary adenomas arise due to sporadic mutations that lead to unregulated cellular division, subsequent tumor formation, and resultant GH hypersecretion. Major scientific organizations and authorities in endocrinology release regularly updated guidelines for diagnosing and managing acromegaly. We have holistically evaluated four data-driven and evidentiary approaches in the management of acromegaly to compare and contrast these guidelines and show their salient differences. These guidelines have been reviewed because they are major authorities in acromegaly management. In this comprehensive article, differences in the diagnosis and treatment recommendations of the discussed guidelines have been highlighted. Our findings showed that diagnosing modalities were similar among the four approaches; however, some guidelines were more specific about additional supporting investigations to confirm a diagnosis of acromegaly. For management options, each guideline had suggestions about ideal therapeutic outcomes. Treatment options were identical but salient differences were noticed, such as the addition of combination therapy and alternative therapy in the setting of failure to respond to first and second-line treatments. Reviewing clinical guidelines for various pathologies encourages sharing ideas among medical practitioners and ensures that global best practices are adopted. Therefore, a constant review of these clinical practice guidelines is necessary to keep clinicians up to date with the latest trends in patient management.
ABSTRACT
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that results in a smallpox-like human disease. This causative organism belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. It is known to affect the neurological, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. The past few decades have seen endemic outbreaks of this viral infection due to the eradication of smallpox and subsequent laxity in vaccination efforts. Since it was initially diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it has spread to many countries worldwide, including the United States of America, becoming a disease of significant epidemiological importance. The most recent outbreak occurred in 2022. Although this viral disease is considered self-limiting, it poses serious public health concerns due to its complications and pandemic potential. This review will introduce a general overview of MPXV and describe the epidemiology, clinical features, evaluation, and treatment of monkeypox patients. It will also provide a means to raise awareness among primary and secondary healthcare providers. Furthermore, our review focuses on the most up-to-date clinical information for the effective management, prevention, and counselling of monkeypox patients worldwide.
