Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are one the common complications of diabetes mellitus. Many trials were performed to evaluate the effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in healing DFUs. This meta-analysis was performed to synthesize the evidence of rhEGF treatment in DFUs in comparison to placebo. Databases included for the search were PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, and Scopus (up to January 2019). The outcome of interest was the complete healing rate of DFUs. We performed random effects meta-analysis stratified by the types of administration route (intralesional injection and topical apply) by calculating the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). A total of six studies involving 530 patients were eligible for analysis. The combined OR (intralesional injection and topical apply) was 4.005 (95% CI: (2.248; 7.135), p < 0.001). The ORs for intralesional injection and topical application were 3.599 (95% CI: (1.213; 10.677), p = 0.021) and 4.176 (95% CI: (2.112; 8.256), p < 0.001), respectively. Statistical heterogeneity might not be important in overall treatment (I² = 15.17, p = 0.317) and both of the subgroups (I²: 24.56, p = 0.25 and I²: 33.26, p = 0.213, respectively). Our results support the use of rhEGF in the treatment of DFUs.

The prevalence of fatty liver disease (FLD) and that of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) share some risk factors known to exacerbate the course of acute pancreatitis (AP). This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether FLD or NAFLD carry a higher risk of untoward outcomes in AP. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic search in seven medical databases for cohort studies that compared the outcomes of AP for the presence of FLD or NAFLD, and we calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). We included 13 articles in our meta-analysis. AP patients with FLD were more likely to die (5.09% vs 1.89%, OR = 3.56, CI = 1.75–7.22), develop severe AP (16.33% vs 7.87%, OR = 2.67, CI = 2.01–3.56), necrotizing pancreatitis (34.83% vs 15.75%, OR = 3.08, CI = 2.44–3.90) and had longer in-hospital stay (10.8 vs 9.2 days, WMD = 1.46, OR = 0.54–2.39). Patients with NAFLD were more likely to have severe AP and longer hospital stay. Both FLD and NAFLD proved to be independent risk factors of a more severe disease course (OR = 3.68, CI = 2.16–6.29 and OR = 3.39, CI = 1.52–7.56 for moderate/ severe vs. mild AP, respectively). FLD and NAFLD worsen the outcomes of AP, which suggests that incorporating FLD or NAFLD into prognostic scoring systems of AP outcomes might improve the prediction of severity and contribute to a more individualized patient care.

Objectives: Immune regulation seems to be altered in cystic fibrosis (CF), thus potentially predisposing patients to developing autoimmune diseases (AID). In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of celiac disease (CeD) among CF patients as by far the most commonly reported autoimmune disease in this population and, secondly, to review the observations on other, less frequently studied autoimmune diseases. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search for studies that discussed AIDs among CF patients. Following standard selection and data collection, we calculated pooled raw prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for biopsy-verified CeD and seropositivity. Results: Out of the 21 eligible studies, 15 reported on CeD. Pooled prevalence of biopsy-verified CeD was 1.8% (CI 1.1–2.7%) according to a homogeneous dataset from six prospective, consecutive screening studies, while it proved to be 2.3% (CI 1.1–4.7%) according to a heterogeneous dataset from the other studies. Tissue transglutaminase IgA positivity was detected in 4.5% of CF cases (CI 2.8–6.9%), while tissue transglutaminase IgA–endomysial antibody IgA double positivity was found in 2.4% of them (CI 1.5–3.9%). Findings on other AIDs were strongly limited. Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of CeD in CF seemed to be more than twice as high compared to the global prevalence; therefore, routine screening of CeD could be considered in CF.

Pseudomonas infection is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). Maintaining optimal lung function in CF patients carrying Pseudomonas remains a challenge. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy of antipseudomonal inhaled antibiotics in CF patients with chronic Pseudomonas infection. A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted. The main outcomes were changes in: (a) forced respiratory volume (FEV1), (b) Pseudomonas aeruginosa sputum density, and (c) CF Questionnaire Revised Respiratory Symptom Score (CFQR-RSS) at 4 weeks follow-up. Eighteen trials which reported on treatment with aztreonam lysine, tobramycin, colistin, levofloxacin, fosfomycin/tobramycin, and amikacin in various dosages were eligible for inclusion. In terms of change in FEV1%, aztreonam lysine (t.i.d., 75 mg) with a 28-day run in the tobramycin phase, aztreonam lysine (b.i.d., 75 mg) with a 28-day run in the tobramycin phase had the highest probability of being the most effective treatment (SUCRAs were 77, 76%, respectively). Regarding change in Pseudomonas sputum density, aztreonam lysine (b.i.d., 75 mg) with a 28-day run in the tobramycin phase, aztreonam lysine (t.i.d., 75 mg) with a 28-day run in the tobramycin phase had the highest probability of being the most effective treatment (SUCRAs were 90, 86%, respectively). Regarding change in CFQR-RSS, aztreonam lysine (t.i.d., 75 mg) and aztreonam lysine (b.i.d., 75 mg) with a 28-day run in the tobramycin inhalation solution phase had the highest probability of being the most effective treatments (SUCRA:74% and 72%, respectively). Regarding changes in FEV1% and Pseudomonas sputum density, aztreonam lysine with a run in tobramycin phase may be the best treatment option in treating chronic Pseudomonas in CF. According to CFQR-RSS no significant differences were found. Given the limitations of the studies included, validation trials are called for.

Background and Aims: The underlying aetiology of chronic gastritis (CG) often remains unknown due to its underrated significance in clinical practice. However, the role of chronic inflammation of the stomach in the development of atrophy, intestinal metaplasia (IM) and eventually of gastric cancer is well documented. We aimed to explore the possible aetiological factors of CG, determine the prevalence of systemic autoimmune disorders in patients with CG of unknown aetiology, and clarify the role of autoantibodies in the development of precancerous lesions in the stomach. Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study, conducted from January 2016 to January 2020, including data from 175 patients with CG. Exclusion criteria were: (1) acute gastritis; (2) reactive gastropathy; (3) gastric cancer; (4) subjects without any serology testing results; and (5) Helicobacter pylori positivity. The primary endpoint was a composite endpoint involving gastric atrophy and IM. Results: Fifty-five per cent of patients with CG had autoantibodies. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related antibodies were positive in most of the cases, including antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity, which was found in 19.13% of the patients. Autoimmune positivity was shown to be associated with precancerous lesions in the stomach (p<0.001): IM, atrophy and IM with atrophy. Anti-parietal cell antibody positivity seems to be a significant risk factor for IM and IM with atrophy. Autoimmune thyroiditis-related antibodies and ANA positivity by itself were only associated with atrophy; SLE-related antibodies and inflammatory bowel diseases related antibodies (ASCA and ANCA) correlated either with IM or with atrophy. No significant relation was found between any other investigated autoimmune disease-related antibodies and precancerous lesions. Conclusions: Autoimmune positivity often underlies gastritis of unknown aetiology and predisposes to precancerous lesions in the stomach. These antibodies can serve as non-invasive markers for the of optimal timing of an endoscopic follow-up strategy. Furthermore, CG can be an early symptom of a systemic autoimmune disorder.