Category Ranking

98%

Total Visits

921

Avg Visit Duration

2 minutes

Citations

20

Article Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to provide a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing conservative and surgical treatment in a population of adults with uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

Methods: A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL. We have exclusively incorporated randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies involving participants with complicated appendicitis or children were excluded. The variables considered are as follows: treatment complications, complication-free treatment success at index admission and at 1 year follow-up, length of hospital stay (LOS), quality of life (QoL) and costs.

Results: Eight RCTs involving 3213 participants (1615 antibiotics/1598 appendectomy) were included. There was no significant difference between the two treatments in terms of complication rates (RR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.61-1.04, P = 0.07, I = 69%). Antibiotics had a reduced treatment efficacy compared with appendectomy (RR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.90, p < 0.00001, I = 87%) and at 1 year was successful in 540 out of 837 (64.6%, RR = 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.77, p < 0.00001, I = 81%) participants. There was no difference in LOS (mean difference - 0.58 days 95% confidence interval - 1.59 to 0.43, p = 0.26, I = 99%). The trial sequential analysis has revealed that, concerning the three primary outcomes, it is improbable that forthcoming RCTs will significantly alter the existing body of evidence.

Conclusions: As further large-scale trials have been conducted, antibiotic therapy proved to be safe, less expensive, but also less effective than surgical treatment. In order to ensure well-informed decisions, further research is needed to explore patient preferences and quality of life outcomes.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10787963PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13017-023-00531-6DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

randomized controlled
12
controlled trials
12
meta-analysis trial
4
trial sequential
4
sequential analysis
4
analysis comparing
4
comparing nonoperative
4
nonoperative versus
4
versus operative
4
operative management
4

Similar Publications

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder that significantly impairs physical function and daily activities. While conventional treatments focus on symptom management, complementary therapies such as aromatherapy massage have gained attention for their potential benefits.

Objective: This study evaluates the effects of peppermint oil aromatherapy massage on functional impairments in KOA patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Expanding high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage in resource-constrained settings is critical to bridging the cervical cancer gap and achieving the global action plan for elimination. Mobile health (mHealth) technology via short message services (SMS) has the potential to improve HPV vaccination uptake. The mHealth-HPVac study evaluated the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in increasing HPV vaccine uptake among mothers of unvaccinated girls aged 9-14 years in Lagos, Nigeria.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Acute viral respiratory infections (AVRIs) rank among the most common causes of hospitalisation worldwide, imposing significant healthcare burdens and driving the development of pharmacological treatments. However, inconsistent outcome reporting across clinical trials limits evidence synthesis and its translation into clinical practice. A core outcome set (COS) for pharmacological treatments in hospitalised adults with AVRIs is essential to standardise trial outcomes and improve research comparability.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Stroke significantly contributes to long-term disability, one of the problems is with impaired balance control, increasing the risk of falls. The risk of falls may be mitigated using reactive balance training (RBT) which has been shown to effectively reduce fall risk by enhancing reactive stepping following repeated balance perturbations. However, the optimal RBT intensity for people with chronic stroke remains unknown.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The loss of a loved one is a common yet stressful event in later life. Internet- and mobile-based interventions have been proposed as an effective treatment approach for individuals with prolonged grief.

Objective: The AgE-health study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an eHealth intervention, trauer@ktiv, in reducing prolonged grief symptoms in a sample of older adults.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF