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Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refer to physical, cognitive, or affective symptoms that arise in the late luteal phase and remit with menses. The present work is a clinically focused scoping review of the last twenty years of research on treatment for these disorders. A search of key terms using the PubMed/Medline, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases was performed, and 194 studies of adult women met initial inclusion criteria for review. Research studies concerning medications, pharmacological and non-pharmacological complementary and alternative medicine treatments, and surgical interventions with the most available evidence were appraised and summarized. The most high-quality evidence can be found for the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and combined oral contraceptives (COCs), with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and surgical interventions showing efficacy for refractory cases. While there is some evidence of the efficacy of alternative and complementary medicine treatments such as nutraceuticals, acupuncture, and yoga, variability in quality and methods of studies must be taken into account.

We thank Dr. Lissing and colleagues for providing us with these helpful comments [...]

Background & Aims Several endoscopic methods have been proposed for the treatment of large biliary stones. We assessed the comparative efficacy of these treatments through a network meta-analysis. Methods Nineteen randomized controlled trials (2752 patients) comparing different treatments for management of large bile stones (>10 mm) (endoscopic sphincterotomy, balloon sphincteroplasty, sphincterotomy followed by endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation [S+EPLBD], mechanical lithotripsy, single-operator cholangioscopy [SOC]) with each other were identified. Study outcomes were the success rate of stone removal and the incidence of adverse events. We performed pairwise and network meta-analysis for all treatments, and used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria to appraise the quality of evidence. Results All treatments except mechanical lithotripsy significantly outperformed sphincterotomy in terms of stone removal rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.03–1.29). SOC was superior to other adjunctive interventions (vs balloon sphincteroplasty [RR, 1.24; 95% CIs, 1.07–1.45], vs S+EPLBD [RR, 1.23; range, 1.06–1.42] and vs mechanical lithotripsy [RR, 1.34; range, 1.14–1.58]). Cholangioscopy ranked the highest in increasing the success rate of stone removal (surface under the cumulative ranking [SUCRA] score, 0.99) followed by S+EPLBD (SUCRA score, 0.68). SOC and S+EPLBD outperformed the other modalities when only studies reporting on stones greater than 15 mm were taken into consideration (SUCRA scores, 0.97 and 0.71, respectively). None of the assessed interventions was significantly different in terms of adverse event rate compared with endoscopic sphincterotomy or with other treatments. Post-ERCP pancreatitis and bleeding were the most frequent adverse events. Conclusions Among patients with large bile stones, cholangioscopy represents the most effective method, in particular in patients with larger (>15 mm) stones, whereas S+EPLBD could represent a less expensive and more widely available alternative.

Acute porphyrias are a group of metabolic disorders resulting in defective porphyrin synthesis and reduced heme production, which carries a risk of malignancy. Porphyrias are inborn defects in the heme biosynthesis pathway resulting in neurovisceral manifestations and cutaneous photosensitivity attacks with multi-systemic involvement. Its estimated prevalence nears 5 per 100,000 patients worldwide. Subclinical liver disease is common, which can progress into transaminitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and malignancy. However, data on the incidence of primary liver cancer are lacking. We aim to determine the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with porphyria. A systematic review and pooled analysis were conducted through 2021 on studies assessing blood tests, imaging, cancer development, liver transplant, surgical resection, and outcomes in porphyria. In total, 19 studies, which included 7381 patients with porphyria (3476 females), were considered for the final review. In eight studies, alpha-fetoprotein levels were elevated between 200 and 1000 IU/mL. Of the total cohort of patients with porphyria, primary liver cancer was diagnosed in 351 patients (4.8%), of whom 243 (3.3% of the total) were found to have HCC. A subset of patients was found to have cholangiocarcinoma (n = 18; 0.3% of the total). Interestingly, advanced liver disease or cirrhosis was not a prerequisite for the formation of HCC in a small group of patients. Of the total cohort, 30 patients underwent liver resection, 48 patients underwent liver transplantation, and 327 patients died. Patients with porphyria are at risk of developing primary liver malignancy. Further studies should aim to develop diagnostic and prognostic models aimed at the early detection of HCC in porphyria.

Introduction: Left heart decompression (LD) is performed in patients on veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to decrease myocardial wall stress, enhance recovery and decrease complications. Data on outcomes following LD however, are unclear. We sought to evaluate outcomes of death(D) and hospital parameters with a systematic review and meta-analysis (SR-MA) in children without congenital heart disease (CHD) who underwent LD on ECMO. Methods: We included citations in non-CHD patients Results: The search yielded 300 citations, reduced to 36 full text screening of which 7 met inclusion criteria. All were observational retrospective analysis (5 single centers, 2 registries). ROB was critical in 3 studies, and low in 2 (not assessed in 2 abstracts). Of 1,789 included pts, 1,575 were in registries. Median age on ECMO was 6 years and weight 18.7 (range 3-92) kgs. Main diagnoses consisted of myocarditis (n=636,36%) and dilated cardiomyopathy (n=919,52%). Overall, 659 pts died and 75 underwent heart transplantation. Time from ECMO to LD was 15.5 hours (0-113.7 hrs). Dynamic left atrial (LA) LD was performed in 239 pts(13%), static in 135(8%), LA drain in 150(8%) and atrial septal stent in 17(1%). Median LA pressure at the time of decompression was 21 mm Hg. Pts who underwent LD were found to have lower odds ratio for D compared to pts who did not (OR 0.73 [0.5-1.0],I 2 0%). There was inadequate data to assess outcomes of number of days on ECMO (1 study-LD 17+28 vs non-LD 6+4 days), mechanical ventilation (1 study- LD 32+49 vs non-LD 14+19 d), ICU stay (1 study-LD 52+55 vs non-LD 18+10 d) and total length of stay (1 study-LD 60+55 vs non-LD 27+33 d). Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis found that survival was better in non-CHD pts on ECMO who underwent LD compared to pts who did not. Further outcome analysis was limited by inadequate data. Larger registry level analysis is necessary to assess this further.

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with comorbidities that contribute to poor health, impaired life quality, and mortality risk. Objective To provide evidence-based screening recommendations for comorbidities linked to HS. Methods Systematic reviews were performed to summarize evidence on the prevalence and incidence of 30 comorbidities in patients with HS relative to the general population. The screening recommendation for each comorbidity was informed by the consistency and quality of existing studies, disease prevalence, and magnitude of association, as well as benefits, harms, and feasibility of screening. The level of evidence and strength of corresponding screening recommendation were graded by using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) criteria. Results Screening is recommended for the following comorbidities: acne, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, pilonidal disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, suicide, smoking, substance use disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, spondyloarthritis, and sexual dysfunction. It is also recommended to screen patients with Down syndrome for HS. The decision to screen for specific comorbidities may vary with patient risk factors. The role of the dermatologist in screening varies according to comorbidity. Limitations Screening recommendations represent one component of a comprehensive care strategy. Conclusions Dermatologists should support screening efforts to identify comorbid conditions in HS.

INTRODUCTION: Principles of management for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) are mostly derived from knowledge of lower tract urothelial carcinoma (LTUC), however recent research indicates that these may be disparate diseases. In this review, we sought to compare the responsiveness of these tumors to similar treatment, platinum-based chemotherapy used in the adjuvant setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched using a systematic search strategy. Disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with LTUC and UTUC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy were compared. Review Manager V 5.3 was used for meta-analyses. RESULTS: Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved DFS (HR 0.41, 95%CI 0.31–0.54), CSS (HR 0.29, 95%CI 0.17–0.50) and OS (HR 0.51, 95%CI 0.38–0.70) rates in LTUC. The effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in UTUC was less pronounced with respect to DFS (HR 0.61, 95%CI 0.1–0.93) and CSS (HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.56–0.90) rates, and there was no effect on OS (HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.69–1.10). Differences in CSS and OS were significant (p < 0.0001) in favor of adjuvant chemotherapy for LTUC versus UTUC CONCLUSION: Despite similar histology, we found significant differences in responsiveness to adjuvant chemotherapy between LTUC and UTUC. This may add to the already growing knowledge that these are disparate diseases. Newer systemic treatments for urothelial carcinoma may prove more effective than platinum-based chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting for UTUC.

Little is known about the impact of providing calculator/guideline based versus clinical experiential-based prognostic estimates to patients/caregivers in the ICU. We sought to determine whether studies have compared types of prognostic estimation in the ICU and associations with outcomes. Data sources Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, databases searched were PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search was run on January 4, 2016, and April 12, 2017. References for included articles were searched. Study selection Studies meeting the following criteria were included in the analysis: communication of prognostic estimates, a comparator group, and in the adult ICU setting. Data extraction Titles/abstracts were reviewed by two researchers. We identified 10,704 articles of which 10 met inclusion criteria. Seven of the studies included estimates obtained from calculators/guidelines and three were based on subjective estimation wherein clinicians were asked to estimate prognosis based on experience. Only the seven using calculated/guideline based estimation were used for pooled analysis. Of these, one was a randomized trial, and six were nonrandomized before/after studies. All of the studies communicated the calculated/guideline-based estimates to the clinician. Two studies involved the communication of calculated prognostic estimates to the ICU physicians for all ICU patients. Four included identification of high-risk patients based on guidelines or review of historical local data which triggered a palliative care/ethics consultation, and one study included communication to physicians about guideline based likely outcomes for neurologic recovery for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors. The comparator arm in all studies was usual care without protocolized prognostication. Data synthesis Included studies were assessed for risk of bias. The most common outcomes measured were hospital mortality; do-not-resuscitate status; and medical ICU length of stay. In pooled analyses, there was an association between calculated/guideline based prognostic estimation and decreased medical ICU length of stay as well as increased do-not-resuscitate status, but no difference in hospital mortality. Conclusions Protocolized assessment of calculator/guideline based prognosis in ICU patients is associated with decreased medical ICU length of stay and increased do-not-resuscitate status but does not have a significant effect on mortality. Future studies should explore how communicating these estimates to physicians changes behaviors including communication to patients/families and whether calculator/guideline based prognostication is associated with improved patient and family rated outcomes.

Background: Whether shared decision making (SDM) has been evaluated for end-of-life (EOL) decisions as compared to other forms of decision making has not been studied. Purpose: To summarize the evidence on SDM being associated with better outcomes for EOL decision making, as compared to other forms of decision making. Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched through April 2014. Study Selection: Studies were selected that evaluated SDM, compared to any other decision making style, for an EOL decision. Data Extraction: Components of SDM tested, comparators to SDM, EOL decision being assessed, and outcomes measured. Data Synthesis: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria (three experimental and four observational studies). Results were analyzed using narrative synthesis. All three experimental studies compared SDM interventions to usual care. The four observational studies compared SDM to doctor-controlled decision making, or reported the correlation between level of SDM and outcomes. Components of SDM specified in each study differed widely, but the component most frequently included was presenting information on the risks/benefits of treatment choices (five of seven studies). The outcome most frequently measured was communication, although with different measurement tools. Other outcomes included decisional conflict, trust, satisfaction, and “quality of dying.” Limitations: We could not analyze the strength of evidence for a given outcome due to heterogeneity in the outcomes reported and measurement tools. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence supporting SDM being associated with improved outcomes for EOL decisions as opposed to other forms of decision making. Future studies should describe which components of SDM are being tested, outline the comparator decision making style, and use validated tools to measure outcomes.