Effectiveness of telemedicine diabetic retinopathy screening in the USA: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss among adults in the USA. Vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with timely ophthalmologic care, and therefore, it is recommended that individuals with diabetes have annual retinal examinations. There is limited evidence on whether using telemedicine to screen for DR in primary care clinics in the USA effectively leads to increased DR screening rates. The objective of this systematic review is to collate evidence from existing studies to investigate the effectiveness of telemedicine DR screening (TDRS) in primary care clinics on DR screening rates. METHODS: Relevant studies will be identified through searching MEDLINE/PubMed interface, Scopus, and Web of Science from their inception until November 2021, as well as searching reference lists of included studies and previous related review articles or systematic reviews. There will be no restrictions on study design. Eligible studies will include subjects with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, will evaluate telemedicine technology for screening of DR, will have been conducted in the USA, and will report DR screening rates or data necessary for calculating such rates. Two reviewers will screen search results independently. Risk-of-bias assessment and data extraction will be carried out by two reviewers. The version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2) and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) tool will be used to assess the quality and validity of individual studies. If feasible, we will conduct random-effects meta-analysis where appropriate. If possible, we will conduct subgroup analyses to explore potential heterogeneity sources (setting, socio-economic status, age, ethnicity, study design, outcomes). We will disseminate the findings through publications and relevant networks. DISCUSSION: This protocol outlines the methods for systematic review and synthesis of evidence of TDRS and its effect on DR screening rates. The results will be of interest to policy makers and program managers tasked with designing and implementing evidence-based services to prevent and manage diabetes and its complications in similar settings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021231067.

Comparison of a new sublingual sedation troche with midazolam, ketamine, and ondansetron with intravenous sedation and the effects on vital signs.

PURPOSE: To compare effects of the MKO Melt (midazolam 3 mg, ketamine 25 mg, and ondansetron 2 mg) with intravenous (IV) sedation on vital signs of patients who underwent cataract surgery. SETTING: Two private ophthalmology practices in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative vital signs were compared between individuals who underwent cataract surgery and received exclusively either MKO (n = 991) or traditional IV methods (n = 120) for sedation. Clinical significance was defined as a 5 mm Hg change in blood pressure, 3 beats per minute (bpm) change in heart rate, a change of 2 respirations per minute, or a change of 3% in O2 saturation. MKO Melt but not IV sedation was given before the reported preoperative vital signs. RESULTS: There were 1111 patients included in this study. Preoperative systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 133.7 ± 15.6 mm Hg in the MKO group and 139.6 ± 17.3 mm Hg in the IV group (P = .0001). Postoperative SBP was 130.8 ± 12.9 mm Hg in the MKO group and 135.8 ± 19.3 mm Hg in the IV group (P < .01). Postoperative heart rate was 66.3 ± 10.4 bpm in the MKO group compared with 69.8 ± 10.5 bpm in the IV group (P < .001). No other clinically and statistically significant differences were found. The mean number of melts used was 1.5. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically and statistically significant improvements in preoperative and postoperative SBP and postoperative heart rate were observed in patients who received MKO Melt. The MKO Melt was safe, effective, and well tolerated and a viable alternative to IV sedation.

Effect of Electronic Video Education on Patient's Self-Assessed Knowledge About Obesity and Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to study the effect of electronic video education on patient's self-assessed perception of knowledge about pelvic floor disorders in relation to obesity in a prospective randomized controlled trial. METHODS: From June to July 2015, women with a body mass index of 25 kg/m or higher seeking care at a single urogynecology center were recruited and randomized into either a standard visit with an 8-minute video (group A) or a standard visit control (group B). Randomization was performed with computer-generated number blocks of 4. Allocation sequence was concealed from the caregiver, in sequentially numbered, opaque, and sealed envelopes. Immediately after their visit, patients answered a series of 3 questionnaires, which were statistically analyzed using unpaired t tests, Wilcoxon rank sum and analysis of variance tests, presented as mean and standard deviation. Primary outcome was a difference in self-assessed perception of knowledge questionnaire scores. Secondary outcome was a difference in motivation to lose weight. RESULTS: Forty-eight women enrolled, and 40 completed all questionnaires, 20 in each group. Representation in both groups was demographically similar. The mean (SD) answers for the postvisit survey measuring participant's self-assessed perception of knowledge was 3.9 (0.8) for group A and 3.5 (1.1) for group B (P = 0.002). Ninety percent of women in group A reported motivation to lose weight, compared with 75% in group B (P = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Participants who received electronic video education scored significantly higher on self-assessed perception of knowledge questionnaire about pelvic floor disorders in relation to obesity. The video did not increase motivation to lose weight.