Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a life-threatening condition needing long poly-chemotherapy regimens. As no systematic reviews/meta-analysis is available to comprehensively evaluate the role of delamanid (DLM), we evaluated its effectiveness and safety. We reviewed the relevant scientific literature published up to January 20, 2022. The pooled success treatment rate with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was assessed using a random-effect model. We assessed studies for quality and bias, and considered P0.05). The overall pooled treatment success rate in DLM and bedaquiline-containing regimens was 75.2% (95% CI 68.1-81.1) with no evidence of publication bias (Begg's test; P >0.05). In experimental studies the pooled treatment success rate of DLM-containing regimens was 72.5 (95% CI 44.2-89.8, P 0.05). In MDR-TB patients receiving DLM, culture conversion and treatment success rates were high despite extensive resistance with limited adverse events.

Numerous interventions have been proposed to reduce the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP), but it remains uncertain which approach is the most effective. The objective of this network meta-analysis was to evaluate and compare different preventive strategies for overall, mild, and moderate-to-severe PEP in both average- and high-risk patients. A systematic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials across the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies that featured at least two of the following interventions: pre-procedural administration of 100 mg of rectal diclofenac (D) or indomethacin (I), aggressive hydration utilizing normal saline (NS) or lactated Ringer’s solution (LR), 5-french pancreatic duct stent (S), and either a placebo or an active control (C). The interventions were ranked according to their surface under cumulative ranking (SUCRA) values. The study protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024538533). Of the total 42 (n = 11,493) identified studies, 23 studies (n = 5,410) were categorized into the average-risk group and 19 studies (n = 6,083) were categorized into high-risk group. Based on SUCRA, I + NS was ranked as the best preventive method for overall and mild PEP in average-risk group. However, I + LR was the most effective method of prevention of moderate-to-severe PEP in this group. In high-risk group, I + S was the best preventive method of overall and mild PEP. However, D was the most effective method of prevention of moderate-to-severe PEP in this group. The findings of this network meta-analysis indicate that endoscopists should consider all available prophylactic options when performing ERCP, rather than favoring one over the others.

Background: The main components of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) management include a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications; Nevertheless, based on the severity of symptoms and their response to medications, other treatments could be considered. Baclofen has been demonstrated in studies to relieve GERD symptoms. The current study aimed to precisely address the effects of baclofen on the treatment of GERD and its characteristics.Methods: A systematic search was carried out in Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov up to December 10, 2021. The search terms included baclofen, GABA agonists, GERD, and reflux.Results: We selected 26 papers that matched the inclusion criteria after examining 727 records. Studies were classified into four categories based on the study population and reported outcomes: (1) adults, (2) children, (3) patients with gastroesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough, (4) hiatal hernia patients. The results revealed that baclofen can significantly improve reflux symptoms and pH-monitoring and manometry findings to different degrees in all four mentioned categories; although its effect on pH-monitoring parameters seems less significant than the other parameters. Mild neurological and mental status deterioration were the most reported side effects. However, side effects occurred in a portion of less than 5% of short-term users and nearly 20% of long-term users.Conclusion: In PPI-resistant patients, a trial of adding baclofen to the PPI may be helpful. Baclofen therapies may be more beneficial for symptomatic GERD patients who also report concurrent conditions including alcohol use disorder, non-acid reflux, or obesity.Systematic review registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

INTRODUCTION: The morphology of the major papilla plays a crucial role in the selection of the cannulation method for the common bile duct during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence available that compares the efficacy and safety of cannulation approaches in certain papilla morphologies. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of 2 cannulation methods, including primary needle-knife fistulotomy (pNKF) and standard transpapillary (STP), in patients with long-size papilla. METHODS: A total of 260 patients with intact long-size papilla were enrolled and were randomly assigned to the pNKF or STP groups (n = 130 in each group). The primary endpoint was the rate of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis. Biliary cannulation success rates, the duration of cannulation and the overall procedure, and the incidence of adverse events were also compared between the groups. All of the patients were hospitalized for at least 24 hours after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 125 (96.2%) patients in the pNKF and 114 (87.7%) patients in the STP groups had successful primary biliary cannulation (P = 0.01) and were included in the final analysis. Postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis occurred in 11 patients in the STP group and 3 patients in the pNKF group (9.6% vs 2.4%, P = 0.02; number needed to treat [95% confidence interval] = 13.9 [7.5–83.2]). Moreover, compared with the pNKF, STP was associated with more cannulation attempts (3.4 vs 2.5, P < 0.001) and longer cannulation time (258 vs 187 seconds, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: In patients with long-size papilla, pNKF is a safer, easier, and more efficient approach to gain primary biliary access than the STP technique.

The morphology of the major duodenal papilla (MDP) plays a crucial role in the selection of the cannulation technique. Primary needle-knife fistulotomy (pNKF) is an advanced cannulation technique is getting more popular because of the lower risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). However, few studies have explored the impact of MDP morphology on pNKF outcomes. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of pNKF for different MDP morphologies. A review of medical records between 2022 and 2024 revealed 200 patients with naïve MDP who underwent pNKF at Taleghani Hospital. Patients were classified into the three groups on the basis MDP morphology: regular: n = 34 (17%), long: n = 104 (52%), and bulging: n = 64 (31%). There were no patients with small papilla who underwent pNKF in the records. We compared successful biliary cannulation, the difficulty of procedure, and post-ERCP adverse events among these three groups. The success rates of pNKF in primary biliary cannulation were 94.1%, 98.1%, and 98.4% in the patients with regular, long, and bulging papilla; respectively (p = 0.38). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the rates of PEP (p = 0.71), bleeding (p = 0.11), perforation (p = 0.48), or cholangitis (p = 1.00). However, the procedure in the regular papilla group was associated with more cannulation attempts (p = 0.025) and longer time for manipulation of the papilla (p < 0.001). In conclusion, pNKF is an effective and safe cannulation technique for regular, long, or bulging papillae, although it may be associated with more cannulation attempts and longer cannulation times for regular papilla. Further multicenter trials with large populations are needed to confirm these findings, and investigate the applicability and the outcomes of pNKF in small papillae.