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Electrolyte imbalances as poor prognostic markers in COVID-19: a systemic review and meta-analysis.
Song, HJJMD, Chia, AZQ, Tan, BKJ, Teo, CB, Lim, V, Chua, HR, Samuel, M, Kee, A
Journal of endocrinological investigation. 2023;46(2):235-259
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Plain language summary
Salt imbalances in individuals with Covid-19 are highly prevalent, however it is not fully understood if they determine whether a patient has a good or bad prognosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 observational studies aimed to determine the associations and prognostic value of different salt imbalances in individuals with Covid-19. The results showed that out of several salt imbalances analysed, high and low sodium levels and low calcium levels could predict poor outcomes in those with Covid-19. High sodium levels were particularly indicative, but this was not due to the relationship between high sodium and inflammation in the body and causal reasons remained undiscovered. It was concluded that sodium imbalances and low calcium levels were associated with poor clinical outcomes in individuals with Covid-19. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that correcting these imbalances may be of benefit to individuals with Covid-19.
Abstract
PURPOSE Serum electrolyte imbalances are highly prevalent in COVID-19 patients. However, their associations with COVID-19 outcomes are inconsistent, and of unknown prognostic value. We aim to systematically clarify the associations and prognostic accuracy of electrolyte imbalances (sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and phosphate) in predicting poor COVID-19 clinical outcome. METHODS PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched. Odds of poor clinical outcome (a composite of mortality, intensive-care unit (ICU) admission, need for respiratory support and acute respiratory distress syndrome) were pooled using mixed-effects models. The associated prognostic sensitivity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR + , LR-) and predictive values (PPV, NPV; assuming 25% pre-test probability), and area under the curve (AUC) were computed. RESULTS We included 28 observational studies from 953 records with low to moderate risk-of-bias. Hyponatremia (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.48-2.94, I2 = 93%, N = 8), hypernatremia (OR = 4.32, 95% CI = 3.17-5.88, I2 = 45%, N = 7) and hypocalcemia (OR = 3.31, 95% CI = 2.24-4.88, I2 = 25%, N = 6) were associated with poor COVID-19 outcome. These associations remained significant on adjustment for covariates such as demographics and comorbidities. Hypernatremia was 97% specific in predicting poor outcome (LR + 4.0, PPV = 55%, AUC = 0.80) despite no differences in CRP and IL-6 levels between hypernatremic and normonatremic patients. Hypocalcemia was 76% sensitive in predicting poor outcome (LR- 0.44, NPV = 87%, AUC = 0.71). Overall quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. CONCLUSION Hyponatremia, hypernatremia and hypocalcemia are associated with poor COVID-19 clinical outcome. Hypernatremia is 97% specific for a poor outcome, and the association is independent of inflammatory marker levels. Further studies should evaluate if correcting these imbalances help improve clinical outcome.
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The efficacy of adjuvant radioactive iodine after reoperation in patients with persistent or recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic review.
Raghupathy, J, Tan, BKJ, Song, HJJMD, Chia, AZQ, Tan, YZ, Yang, SP, Parameswaran, R
Langenbeck's archives of surgery. 2023;(1):21
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The effectiveness of adjuvant radioiodine (RAI) after reoperation in patients with persistent or recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is controversial. Although various organizations recognize that strong evidence for the use of RAI is lacking, they continue to recommend the use of adjuvant RAI therapy for select groups of patients. This is concerning as RAI therapy has potential side effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, bone marrow suppression, and gonadal damage. METHODS Four electronic databases were systematically searched for randomized trials or observational studies that examined the outcomes of adjuvant RAI after reoperation for recurrent DTC, among patients of any age. The baseline characteristics, treatment response, disease progression, and overall survival of these studies were synthesized and reported. A meta-analysis of the use of RAI on progression-free survival was also performed. RESULTS Six observational studies, comprising a combined cohort of 437 patients who underwent reoperation, were included from 1212 records. Adjuvant RAI after reoperation in recurrent DTC was not associated with longer progression-free or overall survival. There was also no association of RAI with excellent structural or biochemical treatment response, lower thyroglobulin levels, nor a lower rate of second recurrence or distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS Adjuvant RAI after reoperation in recurrent DTC was not associated with improved cancer or treatment-related outcomes. However, as the included studies were of inadequate quality, there is an urgent need for randomized trials and well-analyzed cohort studies. Physicians should exercise clinical judgment to prescribe adjuvant RAI for only selected, high-risk patients.
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Association of Olfactory Impairment With All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Pang, NY, Song, HJJMD, Tan, BKJ, Tan, JX, Chen, ASR, See, A, Xu, S, Charn, TC, Teo, NWY
JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery. 2022;(5):436-445
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Olfactory impairment is highly prevalent and associated with multiple comorbidities, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, nutritional, and immune disorders. However, epidemiologic associations between olfactory impairment and mortality are discordant. OBJECTIVE To systematically clarify the epidemiologic associations between olfactory impairment and mortality. DATA SOURCES The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to August 13, 2021. STUDY SELECTION Two blinded reviewers selected observational studies published as full-length, English-language articles in peer-reviewed journals that reported the presence or severity of chronic olfactory impairment, whether objectively measured or self-reported, in association with any mortality estimate, among adults aged 18 years or older. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two reviewers independently extracted data, evaluated study bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and appraised the quality of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines and a PROSPERO-registered protocol. Maximally adjusted estimates were pooled using mixed-effects models, heterogeneity was measured using I2 statistics, sources of heterogeneity were investigated using meta-regression and subgroup meta-analyses, and publication bias was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Hazard ratios for all-cause mortality. RESULTS One retrospective cohort study and 10 prospective cohort studies (with a total of 21 601 participants) from 1088 nonduplicated records were included. Ten studies had a low risk of bias, whereas 1 study had a moderate risk; exclusion of the latter did not alter conclusions. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Olfactory loss was associated with a significantly higher pooled hazard of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.28-1.80; I2 = 82%). Meta-regression sufficiently explained heterogeneity, with longer mean follow-up duration weakening the pooled association, accounting for 91.3% of heterogeneity. Self-reported and objective effect sizes were similar. Associations were robust to trim-and-fill adjustment and the Egger test for publication bias. The overall quality of evidence was moderate. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that olfactory impairment is associated with all-cause mortality and may be a marker of general health and biological aging. Further research is required to establish the underlying mechanisms and the scope for interventions.