1,721,392 research outputs found

    Bayesian or frequentist: there is no question when comparing single-inhaler triple therapies via network meta-analysis. Focus on fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol fixed-dose combination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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    objectives: Single-inhaler triple therapies (SITTs) have never been directly compared in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). cochrane recommends the bayesian approach for indirect comparisons but a frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA) reported superiority of fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) over other SITT. We assessed the most appropriate inference method for NMA characterized by between-study heterogeneity on SITT in COPD. methods: bayesian and frequentist NMA were performed on RCTs investigating the effect of SITT on exacerbations and trough forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1) in COPD. results: the included RCTs (ETHOS, FULFIL, IMPACT, KRONOS 200812) reported significant between-study heterogeneity (I-2 > 99%, p < 0.001). the Bayesian random-effect NMA provided unbiased evidence that FF/UMEC/VI was not superior to other SITT on exacerbations and trough FEV1. the frequentist fixed-effect NMA indicated that FF/UMEC/VI was significantly (p < 0.05) more effective than other SITT, although results were affected by dispersion, asymmetry, and significant risk of bias. frequentist random-effect NMA provided effect estimates rather similar but not equal to those of bayesian approach. conclusion: Indirect comparison should be performed via bayesian approach instead of frequentist inference with a fixed-effect model. claiming the superiority of a specific medication over other therapies should be confirmed by findings originating from well-designed RCTs

    Expression of concern regarding the article titled “Variability in the serum and tissue concentrations of pre-incisional ceftriaxone for surgery in paediatric population and outcome of surgical-site infections; An open labelled, prospective, non-randomized, analytical study”

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    I am writing to formally express my concern regarding the article titled “Variability in the serum and tissue concentrations of pre-incisional ceftriaxone for surgery in the paediatric population and outcome of surgical-site infections; An open-labelled, prospective, non-randomized, analytical study” published in Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery (Sheikh et al., 2022). The primary issue pertains to the absence of a clinical trial registration number, which raises significant ethical considerations about the study's oversight and transparency. Clinical trial registration is crucial for ensuring ethical and scientific integrity in research involving human participants. This note will remain appended to the article to inform readers of these concerns until the authors provide the necessary registration details to the Editors of Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery. I appreciate the understanding and patience of all stakeholders as we seek to resolve this matter

    Impact of Airway-Occluding Mucus Plugs on Mortality in Patients with COPD According to Disease Severity: A Subset Analysis of Data From COPDGene

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    Background: Chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with severe outcomes, but its impact on mortality across COPD stages is not well understood. This study evaluated the risk of mortality according to mucus plugs and COPD severity. Methods: A subset analysis was performed using secondary unadjusted data from published figures of a study on the COPDGene cohort. Data on mortality rates and mucus plug scores were extracted and classified by the GOLD stages. The mortality risk was calculated based on the number of mucus plugs occluding lung segments and GOLD stage, using calibration curves and best-fitting non-linear regression curve analysis. Results: The risk of all-cause mortality was significantly increased for GOLD stage 1 patients with ≥1 occluded lung segments (1.48, 95% CI 1.10–1.86; P<0.01) compared to those with no occlusions. Patients with GOLD stage 1 and ≥3 occluded lung segments had a significantly higher mortality risk (1.89, 95% CI 1.43–2.36; P<0.001). No increased mortality risk resulted for patients with 1–2 occluded lung segments and those at GOLD stage 2–4. The number needed to harm analysis indicated that 6 patients with ≥3 occluded segments at GOLD stage 1 were required to observe one death, compared to 26 patients at GOLD stage 4. Conclusion: The significant mortality risk associated with multiple mucus-plugged segments at GOLD stage 1 supports the potential benefit of thiol-based mucolytic therapy. Targeted interventions to reduce mucus plugs could be crucial in improving survival outcomes for early-stage COPD patients
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