Omega-3 supplementation and outcomes of heart failure: A systematic review of clinical trials.

BACKGROUNDS: Omega-3 supplements are endorsed for heart failure (HF) patients to reduce hospitalizations and mortality, offering anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective benefits. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in various databases until November 2022. Eligible studies included clinical trials on patients with HF. Data extraction covered study details, omega-3 specifics, outcomes, and limitations. The JADAD scale was used to assess the risk of bias in randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: The review process involved 572 records from database searches, resulting in 19 studies after eliminating duplicates and screening. These studies assessed the impact of omega-3 on various clinical outcomes, such as mortality, hospitalization, cardiac function, and quality of life. Studied duration varied from weeks to years. Omega-3 supplementation demonstrated potential benefits such as improved heart function, reduced inflammation, and decreased risk of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation could benefit heart disease treatment, potentially reducing therapy duration and improving outcomes. Starting omega-3 supplementation for HF patients seems favorable.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors among Iranian high school students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors among high-school students in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was conducted in the following original databases: PubMed, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, Psycinfo, and national databases, including the Scientific Information Database (SID) and MagIran, from January 1988 through January 2023. Studies that reported the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors among high school students in Iran were included. Two investigators extracted all relevant data independently. For deriving mean prevalence rates, random-effects meta-analyses were used. We assessed the quality of studies by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). RESULTS: Total of 67 studies (45,798 participants) were included in the syntheses on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. For depressive symptoms, the mean prevalence rate was 48 % (40 %, 55 %). 2804 participants were enrolled for assessing of the prevalence of suicide ideation, and the mean prevalence rate was 21 % (6 %, 36 %). The meta-analysis pooling of the prevalence estimates of suicide attempts was 18 % (15 %, 20 %). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the high school students experience depressive symptoms and, astonishingly, one in five high school students experiences suicidal ideation, so to identify strategies for preventing and treating depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors in this special population, further research and policymaking are urgently needed.

Cranial nerve involvement among COVID-19 survivors.

Introduction: COVID-19 was first reported in November 2019 in China and rapidly spread across the globe. COVID-19 causes neurologic symptoms and complications, which may persist even after recovery in patients. The objective of this research was to determine the involvement of cranial nerves in COVID-19 survivors. Method: This was a retrospective study. The study was conducted between March and July of 2022. The analysis included 98 patients with a certain positive polymerase chain reaction. SPSS software version 19 was utilized for data analysis. Results: The average age of the participants was 40.47 years (8.81). The olfactory nerve was found to be the most frequently involved cranial nerve (36.7%). Over 20% of participants had a taste disorder. The findings from the regression analysis indicated that lung involvement and age have a direct and significant relationship with cranial nerve involvement and can serve as its predictors (p = 0.001). Conclusion: It seems that cranial nerve involvement was sustained in COVID-19 patients who survived. In addition, elderly patients and patients with severe illnesses were more likely to show cranial symptoms. It is necessary to monitor COVID-19 survivors for neurological symptoms.

Challenges and solutions in clinical research during the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review.

Background and Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to clinical research, necessitating the adoption of innovative and remote methods to conduct studies. This study aimed to investigate these challenges and propose solutions for conducting clinical research during the pandemic. Methods: A narrative review was conducted (approval ID: IR.AMS.REC.1401.029), utilizing keyword searches in PubMed and Web of Science (WOS) citation index expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) from January 2020 to January 2023. Keywords included COVID-19, clinical research, barriers, obstacles, facilitators and enablers. Results: Out of 2508 records retrieved, 43 studies were reviewed, providing valuable insights into the challenges and corresponding solutions for conducting clinical research during the COVID-19 pandemic. The identified challenges were categorized into four main groups: issues related to researchers or investigators, issues related to participants and ethical concerns, administrative issues, and issues related to research implementation. To address these challenges, multiple strategies were proposed, including remote monitoring through phone or video visits, online data collection and interviews to minimize in-person contact, development of virtual platforms for participant interaction and questionnaire completion, consideration of financial incentives, adherence to essential criteria such as inclusion and exclusion parameters, participant compensation, and risk assessment for vulnerable patients. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted clinical research, requiring the adaptation and enhancement of existing research structures. Although remote methods and electronic equipment have limitations, they hold promise as effective solutions during this challenging period.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and In-hospital Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events (MACCEs) and postoperative complications among patients undergoing on-pump isolated coronary artery bypass surgery in Northeastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a rapidly growing disorder worldwide, especially in the Middle East. A higher incidence of coronary artery diseases requiring coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been reported in patients with diabetes. We assessed the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and postoperative complications among patients who underwent on-pump isolated CABG. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we used the data registered for CABG patients from two heart centers in the Golestan province (North of Iran) between 2007 and 2016. The study population included 1956 patients divided into two groups: 1062 non-diabetic patients and 894 patients with diabetes (fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dl or using antidiabetic medications). The study outcome was in-hospital MACCEs, a composite outcome of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and cardiovascular death, and postoperative complications, including postoperative arrhythmia, acute atrial fibrillation (AF), major bleeding (defined as reoperation due to bleeding), and acute kidney injury (AKI). RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 1956 adult patients with a mean (SD) age of 59.0 (9.60) years were included. After adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, obesity, opium consumption, and smoking, diabetes was a predictor of postoperative arrhythmia (AOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.08-1.57; P = 0.006). While it was not a predictor of in-hospital MACCEs (AOR 1.35, 95% CI 0.86, 2.11; P = 0.188), AF (AOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.60-1.19; P = 0.340), major bleeding (AOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.50, 1.30; P = 0.636) or AKI (AOR 1.29, 95% CI 0.42, 3.96; P 0.656) after CABG surgery. CONCLUSION: Findings indicated that diabetes increased the risk of postoperative arrhythmia by 30%. However, we found similar in-hospital MACCEs, acute AF, major bleeding, and AKI following CABG surgery in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Risk factors of in-hospital mortality for isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the northeast of Iran from 2007 to 2016.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is the most common cardiac surgery worldwide. The reported mortality rates for this operation vary greatly. We aimed to determine the risk factors of in-hospital mortality for isolated on-pump CABG surgery. METHODS: This was a large-scale retrospective cohort study of two heart centers in Golestan province. Patients over the age of 18 from both genders who underwent isolated on-pump CABG procedures from 2007 to 2016 were included. The study outcome was in-hospital mortality, which was determined according to the clinical records of study patients. RESULTS: A total of 3704 patients were included in the study, and 63% were men. In-hospital mortality occurred in 2.8% (n=103) of the patients. The median (IQR) age of survived and not-survived patients were 59 (53-65) and 62 (55-75) years, respectively. 44% of the mortalities occurred in patients older than 65, while 28% of the survivors were older than 65. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that emergency CABG (OR 4.52, 95% CI, 1.45, 14.02; P = 0.009) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPB) (OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.001, 1.008; P = 0.034) were the risk factors of in-hospital mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the model consisting of operative and preoperative variables was 0.70 (acceptable performance). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed an acceptable mortality proportion for CABG surgeries conducted in the region. Emergency CABG and CPB time were the main risk factors for in-hospital mortality after CABG.

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among myasthenia gravis (MG) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Myasthenia gravis (MG) people experience adverse psychiatric outcomes, which may impact on their life and disturb their daily activity. Depression and anxiety are identified as significant psychiatric problems that MG people face. However, there is no sufficient epidemiological information about depression and anxiety-based publication. Due to this limitation, the aim of this study was to review the prevalence of depression and anxiety in MG patients. METHODS: Original and international databases were searched to find papers about the estimation of anxiety and depression. Random-effects analysis was used for calculating the proportions of anxiety and depression. For estimating anxiety and depression based the severity, instruments, type of studies, and study regions, subgroup analysis was performed. RESULTS: 38 studies met inclusion criteria and entered study. The pooling of the prevalence of depression was found at 36%, (95% CI 28% to 45%). Also, prevalence of anxiety was found at 33%, (95% CI 25% to 42%). Prevalence of depression based on mild, moderate, and severe level was 27%, 14%, and 9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression are a major concern among MG individuals. The estimation of both anxiety and depression are high even when compared to other autoimmune diseases. It seems depression and anxiety are important issues and more attention needs to be paid to these psychiatric disorders.

Effect of cancer treatment on sleep quality in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems are one of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients. The causes of poor sleep quality might be due to treatment and its side effects. Thus, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis with the aims of investigating sleep quality during treatment in cancer patients. METHODS: Comprehensive search strategy was conducted in the following original databases: PubMed, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, and Ovid, from 1950 to 15th February 2021. Studies that investigated the sleep quality during treatment in cancer patients were included. Two investigators extracted all relevant data, independently. For deriving mean difference, random-effects meta-analyses were used. We assessed quality of studies by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS: A total of 27 studies (1884 participants) were included in the syntheses on sleep quality. The mean global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in cancer patients before the initiation of treatment was 7.11 (95% CI: 6.48, 7.74), during 8.31 (95% CI: 6.34, 10.27), after the treatment 7.10 (95% CI: 6.54, 7.66), and finally, the mean global PSQI in the time of follow-up was estimated 7.33 (95% CI: 6.27, 8.39); all the results were meaningful (P < 0.001). The mean difference showing the quality of sleep was better before the initiation of treatment compared to after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Cancer patients who underwent cancer treatment face lots of problems and adverse effects caused by treatment. Our results revealed that cancer patients experience poor quality of sleep during the whole trajectory of cancer even after a year from the initiation of treatment. After the end of treatment, sleep quality got better compared to during the treatment and returned to before the treatment level, but it is still poor and needs more sleep-related interventions to improve.

Effectiveness of massage therapy on fatigue and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and pain are prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and frequent complaint in MS patients, which reduce their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of massage therapy on pain and fatigue in MS Patients. METHOD: The original and Persian databases were searched included PubMed, web of science, embase, ovid, scopus, and the Cochrane Library, SID, and Iranedex from inception to November 2020. Studies that reported the effect of massage on fatigue and pain were included. Two investigators extracted all relevant data, independently. For deriving analysis, mean difference (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were used. RESULT: Ten studies were eligible acoording criteria. The effect of massage on fatigue showed significant improvement (-1.62; 95% CL -2.40, -0.83; p < .00001), also results of the systematic review showed a significant reduction in pain severity. CONCLUSION: Massage as a complementary and non-pharmacological therapy might have been associated with alleviating fatigue and pain in M.S. patients. Based on the current study, massage intervention for MS patients could have possible clinical value for palliating pain and fatigue and improving quality of life; however, this matter needs further and more significant trial studies.

Prevalence of depression among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) people have a high risk of severe mental disorders, like depression, which impacts their function, quality of life, and mobility. However, there are no estimates of depression based paper published. This study aimed conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of depression in ALS patients around the world. METHODS: PubMed/Medline, Web of science, Scopus, Embase, and Ovid are searched to identify papers that reporting the prevalence of depression. Studies are included in random-effects meta-analyses of the prevalence of depression. Subgroup analyses are performed on the severity of depression, instruments of depression, type of studies, and study regions. RESULTS: 46 eligible studies reported prevalence of depression. The pooled prevalence of depression among ALS people was 34% (27%-41%). According to the severity of depression, mild, moderate, and severe depression were 29%, 16%, and 8%, respectively. For studies using BDI, PHQ, and HADS, the pooled prevalence of depression was 50%, 20%, and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ALS people have a high prevalence of depression. The high prevalence of depression causes a reduction of quality of life and mobility. The study identifies a population group at high risk needing special attention in clinical practice.

Central nervous system manifestations in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: At the end of December 2019, a novel respiratory infection, initially reported in China, known as COVID-19 initially reported in China, and later known as COVID-19, led to a global pandemic. Despite many studies reporting respiratory infections as the primary manifestations of this illness, an increasing number of investigations have focused on the central nervous system (CNS) manifestations in COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the CNS presentations in COVID-19 patients in an attempt to identify the common CNS features and provide a better overview to tackle this new pandemic. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Included studies were publications that reported the CNS features between 1 January 2020 and 20 April 2020. The data of selected studies were screened and extracted independently by four reviewers. Extracted data analyzed by using STATA statistical software. The study protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020184456). RESULTS: Of 2,353 retrieved studies, we selected 64 studies with 11,687 patients after screening. Most of the studies were conducted in China (58 studies). The most common CNS symptom of COVID-19 was headache (8.69%, 95%CI: 6.76%-10.82%), dizziness (5.94%, 95%CI: 3.66%-8.22%), and impaired consciousness (1.90%, 95%CI: 1.0%-2.79%). CONCLUSIONS: The growing number of studies has reported COVID-19, CNS presentations as remarkable manifestations that happen. Hence, understanding the CNS characteristics of COVID-19 can help us for better diagnosis and ultimately prevention of worse outcomes.

Prevalence of depression in older people with hip fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fracture disrupts general health and is one of the most common physical injuries in the elderly. Depression is the most common mood disorder in older people and one of the main complications of hip fractures. AIM AND METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of depression in older people with hip fractures. Relevant literature published until July 2019 was obtained and screened according to established inclusion criteria. Two researchers independently carried out quality assessment and data extraction before the meta-analysis. We calculated proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI). To investigate the sources of heterogeneity, we performed subgroup analyses based on study design, follow-up duration, type of fracture, and gender. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies with a combined sample size of 11958 were included. The overall prevalence of depression in older people with hip fracture was 23% (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.29). The lowest and highest prevalence of depression was in Asia (0.19) and America (0.27) respectively. CONCLUSION: In this systematic review and meta-analysis the estimated prevalence of depression among older hip fracture patients was 23%. Further research is needed to identify strategies for preventing and treating mood disorders in this population.

The impact of empowerment model-based education on quality of life of transgender people under hormone therapy: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Gender identity disorder is a complex psychological problem and people with this disorder are at risk of many problems, including reduced quality of life. Empowerment intervention is one of the methods that can be used to improve the quality of life of people. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of empowerment model-based training on the quality of life of transgender people undergoing hormone therapy. METHODS: The present study is a randomized clinical trial that was conducted in 2012 on 81 transgender people at Tehran Welfare Center. The study samples were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received training based on the empowerment model (threat perception, problem-solving, educational participation, and evaluation) and the control group received routine treatment. RESULTS: According to the findings, after the intervention, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the mean level of overt anxiety (P = 0.045) and aspects of emotional health (P = 0.030), the general perception of health (P = 0.007), mental health (P = 0.008), and overall quality of life (P = 0.005). Also, although there was a statistically significant difference in the aspect emotional well-being in the intervention group before and after the intervention (P = 0.034), this difference was not significant between the two groups (P = 0.274). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the empowerment-based training program had a significant relationship with the improvement in aspects of emotional health, the overall perception of health, mental health, emotional well-being and overall quality of life.