OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this review was to investigate the effect of fibrinogen concentrate in postoperative blood loss in adult surgical patients.
DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES: Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched from their start date until July 2019.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All randomized clinical trials comparing intravenous fibrinogen concentrate and placebo in adult surgical patients were included, regardless of type of surgery. Observational studies, case reports, case series and non-systematic reviews were excluded.
RESULTS: Thirteen trials (n = 900) were included in this review. In comparison to placebo, fibrinogen concentrate significantly reduced the first 12-hour postoperative blood loss, with a mean difference of -134.6 ml (95% CI -181.9 to -87.4). It also significantly increased clot firmness in thromboelastometry (FIBTEM) with a mean difference of 2.5 mm (95%CI 1.1 to 3.8). No significant differences were demonstrated in the adverse events associated with fibrinogen concentrate use, namely incidence of thromboembolism, myocardial infarction and acute kidney injury.
CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials, low level of evidence and substantial heterogeneity with small sample size limit strong recommendation on the use of fibrinogen concentrate in adult surgical patients. However, its use is tolerable without any notable adverse events.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42019149164.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to investigate the effect of intravenous magnesium on the consumption of postoperative morphine in the first 24 h in adults undergoing noncardiac surgery.
DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.
DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL from their inception until January 2019.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All randomised clinical trials comparing intravenous magnesium versus placebo in noncardiac surgery were systematically searched in the databases. Observational studies, case reports, case series and nonsystematic reviews were excluded.
RESULTS: Fifty-one trials (n=3311) were included for quantitative meta-analysis. In comparison with placebo, postoperative morphine consumption at 24-h was significantly reduced in the magnesium group, with a mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of -5.6 mg (-7.54 to -3.66, P
Method: This investigation comprises a cross-sectional descriptive study of all patients visiting two primary care clinics aged 18 years and above. Patients presenting with joint pain answered a questionnaire assessing demographic data, disabilities (measured by the Stanford HAQ-DI), and treatment options.
Results: Of 1,074 patients surveyed, 202 (18.8%) had MSK complaints. The mean age of those with MSK pain was 56.1 years. Incidence increased with age, reaching 78.8% of those over 48 years of age. The knee was the most common site of MSK pain (52.2%), with 20.3% requiring referral for specialist assessment. The median HAQ score was 0.375 and 89.6% of those surveyed had mild disability.
Conclusion: MSK pain is a common problem among patients visiting primary care clinics. The most common site of MSK pain was the knee. On formal assessment, the majority of these patients exhibited mild disability. A significant proportion of patients still required specialist referral. This finding would suggest a need for further training on the management of MSK disease at the primary care level to avoid over-burdening the secondary care services.