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Outcomes of long-term von Willebrand factor prophylaxis use in von Willebrand disease: A systematic literature review
El Alayli A, Brignardello Petersen R, Husainat NM, Kalot MA, Aljabiri Y, Turkmani H, Britt A, El-Khechen H, Shahid S, Roller J, et al
Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia. 2022;28(3):373-387
Abstract
BACKGROUND Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder. Patients with VWD suffering from severe bleeding may benefit from the use of secondary long-term prophylaxis. AIM: Systematically summarize the evidence on the clinical outcomes of secondary long-term prophylaxis in patients with VWD and severe recurrent bleedings. METHODS We searched Medline and EMBASE through October 2019 for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and comparative observational studies (OS) assessing the effects of secondary long-term prophylaxis in patients with VWD. We used Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool and the RoB for Non-Randomized Studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tool to assess the quality of the included studies. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS We included 12 studies. Evidence from one placebo controlled RCT suggested that VWD prophylaxis as compared to no prophylaxis reduced the rate of bleeding episodes (Rate ratio [RR], .24; 95% confidence interval [CI], .17-.35; low certainty evidence), and of epistaxis (RR, .38; 95%CI, .21-.67; moderate certainty evidence), and may increase serious adverse events RR 2.73 (95%CI .12-59.57; low certainty). Evidence from four before-and-after studies in which researchers reported comparative data suggested that VWD prophylaxis reduced the rate of bleeding (RR .34; 95%CI, .25-.46; very low certainty evidence). CONCLUSION VWD prophylaxis treatment seems to reduce the risk of spontaneous bleeding, epistaxis, and hospitalizations. More RCTs should be conducted to increase the certainty in these benefits.
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Kawasaki Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Benefits and Harms of Common Treatments
James KE, Kalot MA, Husainat NM, Dua AB, Byram K, Springer JM, Lin YC, Turgunbaev M, Villa-Forte A, Gorelik M, et al
ACR open rheumatology. 2021
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self-limited vasculitis affecting medium-sized vessels with a predilection for the coronary arteries. Although treatment reduces the likelihood of developing of coronary artery aneurysms, 5% of patients still develop aneurysms despite treatment, making KD the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the United States. Consequently, there is a great deal of interest in optimizing treatment regimens, particularly for higher-risk patients, to decrease morbidity. The aim of this systematic review is to support the development of the American College of Rheumatology/Vasculitis Foundation for the diagnosis and management of KD, focusing on the more complex scenarios in which rheumatologists may become involved, such as high-risk and refractory disease. METHODS Eighty-nine articles were considered for full review in this systematic literature review to address 16 Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome questions related to KD. Data were abstracted in hierarchical fashion. Randomized control trials (RCTs) were considered first; if none were identified or if they contained insufficient information, comparative observational studies were then viewed, followed by single-arm observational studies/single arms from comparative studies. Only observational studies with more than 10 subjects with vasculitis were included. RESULTS Eight RCTs and 28 observational studies that addressed the questions were identified. Two questions were addressed by RCTs, seven questions had at least some comparative observational studies, three questions were only addressed by single-arm data, and four questions had no relevant studies. CONCLUSION This systematic review evaluates the benefits and harms of treatments for KD beyond first-line therapy.
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Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis and Microscopic Polyangiitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Benefits and Harms of Common Treatments
Springer JM, Kalot MA, Husainat NM, Byram KW, Dua AB, James KE, Chang Lin Y, Turgunbaev M, Villa-Forte A, Abril A, et al
ACR open rheumatology. 2021
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systemic review is to compare different treatments for patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) to inform evidence-based recommendations for the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/Vasculitis Foundation (VF) Vasculitis Management Guidelines. METHODS A systemic review was conducted by searching articles in English using OVID Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Articles were screened for suitability in addressing PICO questions, with studies presenting the highest level of evidence given preference. RESULTS A total of 729 full-text articles addressing GPA and MPA PICO questions were reviewed. For remission induction, rituximab was shown to be noninferior to cyclophosphamide (CYC) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.55, moderate certainty of evidence). The addition of plasma exchange to induction therapy in severe disease did not improve the composite end point of death or end stage renal disease (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.86 [95% confidence interval CI: 0.65, 1.13], moderate certainty of evidence). In nonsevere disease, methotrexate was noninferior to CYC for induction of remission (remission at 6 months of 90% vs. 94%). For maintenance of remission, methotrexate and azathioprine showed no difference in the risk of relapse over a mean follow-up of 29 months (HR: 0.92, [95% CI: 0.52, 1.65]low certainty of evidence). As maintenance therapy, rituximab was superior to a tapering azathioprine strategy in major relapse-free survival at 28 months (HR: 6.61, [95% CI: 1.56, 27.96], moderate certainty of evidence). In two randomized trials, longer-term azathioprine maintenance therapy (>24 months) is associated with fewer relapses without an increase in adverse events. CONCLUSION This comprehensive systematic review synthesizes and evaluates the benefits and toxicities of different treatment options for GPA and MPA.
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American Society of Hematology 2021 guidelines on the use of anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis in patients with COVID-19
Cuker A, Tseng EK, Nieuwlaat R, Angchaisuksiri P, Blair C, Dane K, Davila J, DeSancho MT, Diuguid D, Griffin DO, et al
Blood advances. 2021;5(3):872-888
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related critical illness and acute illness are associated with a risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). OBJECTIVE These evidence-based guidelines of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) are intended to support patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals in decisions about the use of anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis for patients with COVID-19-related critical illness and acute illness who do not have confirmed or suspected VTE. METHODS ASH formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel and applied strict management strategies to minimize potential bias from conflicts of interest. The panel included 3 patient representatives. The McMaster University GRADE Centre supported the guideline-development process, including performing systematic evidence reviews (up to 19 August 2020). The panel prioritized clinical questions and outcomes according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The panel used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, including GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks, to assess evidence and make recommendations, which were subject to public comment. RESULTS The panel agreed on 2 recommendations. The panel issued conditional recommendations in favor of prophylactic-intensity anticoagulation over intermediate-intensity or therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation for patients with COVID-19-related critical illness or acute illness who do not have confirmed or suspected VTE. CONCLUSIONS These recommendations were based on very low certainty in the evidence, underscoring the need for high-quality, randomized controlled trials comparing different intensities of anticoagulation. They will be updated using a living recommendation approach as new evidence becomes available.
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Surgical management of patients with von Willebrand Disease: summary of 2 systematic reviews of the literature
Brignardello-Petersen R, El Alayli A, Husainat N, Kalot MA, Shahid S, Aljabirii Y, Britt A, Alturkmani HJ, El Khechen H, Motaghi S, et al
Blood advances. 2021
Abstract
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. The management of patients with VWD undergoing surgeries is crucial to prevent bleeding complications. To systematically summarize the evidence on the management of patients with VWD undergoing major and minor surgeries to support the development of practice guidelines. We searched Medline and EMBASE through October 2019 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs), comparative observational studies and case series comparing maintaining factor VIII levels or VWF levels >0.50 IU/mL for at least 3 days in patients undergoing major surgery, and options for perioperative management of patients undergoing minor surgery. Two authors screened, abstracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. We conducted meta-analysis when possible. We evaluated the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We included 7 case series for major surgeries and 2 RCTs and 12 case series for minor surgeries. Very low certainty evidence showed that maintaining factor VIII levels, or VWF levels > 0.50 IU/mL for at least 3 consecutive days showed excellent hemostatic efficacy (as labeled by the researchers) after 74-100% of major surgeries. Low to very low certainty evidence showed that prescribing tranexamic acid and increasing VWF levels to 0.50 IU/mL resulted in less bleeding complications after minor procedures compared to increasing VWF levels to 0.50 IU/mL alone. Given the low-quality evidence to guide management decisions, a shared-decision model leading to individualized therapy plans will be important in patients with VWD undergoing surgical and invasive procedures.
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Bleeding Assessment Tools in the Diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease: Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis of Test Accuracy
Kalot MA, Husainat N, Tayiem S, El Alayli A, Dimassi AB, Diab O, Abughanimeh O, Madoukh B, Qureini A, Ameer B, et al
Blood advances. 2021
Abstract
BACKGROUND Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) can be associated with significant morbidity. Patients with VWD can experience bruising, mucocutaneous bleeding, and bleeding after dental and surgical procedures. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to minimize the risk of these complications. Several bleeding assessment tools (BATs) have been used to quantify bleeding symptoms as a screening tool for VWD. OBJECTIVE We systematically reviewed diagnostic test accuracy results of bleeding assessment tools (BATs) to screen patients for VWD. METHODS We searched Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for eligible studies, reference lists of relevant reviews, registered trials, and relevant conference proceedings. Two investigators screened and abstracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS-2 and certainty of evidence using the GRADE framework. We pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS The review included 7 cohort studies that evaluated the use of BATs to screen adult and pediatric patients for VWD. The pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity were 75% (95% confidence interval [CI] 66%-83%) and 54% (29%-77%), respectively. Certainty of evidence varied from moderate to high. CONCLUSION This systematic review provides accuracy estimates for validated BATs as a screening modality for VWD. A BAT is a useful initial screening test to determine who needs specific blood testing. The pretest probability of VWD (often determined by the clinical setting/patient population), along with sensitivity and specificity estimates will influence patient management.