Jixue Tan’s research while affiliated with Nanchang University and other places

Background: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic medication, is available in both an immediate-release (IR) formulation and a long-acting formulation (metformin extended-release; XR). Objective: We performed a systematic review to compare the effectiveness, safety, and patient compliance and satisfaction between the metformin IR and XR formulations. Method: We searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing the effectiveness, safety, or patient compliance and satisfaction of metformin XR with metformin IR using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Following report screening, data collection, and risk of bias assessment, we separately pooled data from RCTs and observational studies using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to rate the quality of evidence. Result: We included five RCTs, comprising a total of 1,662 patients, and one observational study, comprising 10,909 patients. In the meta-analyses, no differences were identified in outcomes of effectiveness and safety between the two forms of metformin (including change in HbA1c: mean difference (MD), 0.04%, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.05–0.13%, fasting blood glucose: MD, −0.03 mmol/L, 95% CI, −0.22–0.15 mmol/L, postprandial blood glucose: MD, 0.50 mmol/L, 95% CI, −0.71–1.72 mmol/L, adverse events of abdominal pain: relative risk (RR), 1.15, 95% CI, 0.57–2.33, all-cause death (RR, 3.02, 95% CI 0.12–73.85), any adverse events (RR, 1.14, 95% CI 0.97–1.34), any adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation: RR, 1.51, 95% CI, 0.82–2.8, any gastrointestinal adverse events: RR, 1.09, 95% CI, 0.93–1.29, diarrhea: RR, 0.82, 95% CI, 0.53–1.27, flatulence: RR, 0.43, 95% CI, 0.15–1.23, nausea: RR, 0.97, 95% CI, 0.64–1.47, severe adverse events: RR, 0.64, 95% CI, 0.28–1.42, and vomiting: RR, 1.46, 95% CI, 0.6–3.56). Data from both the RCTs and the observational study indicate mildly superior patient compliance with metformin XR use compared with metformin IR use; this result was attributable to the preference for once-daily administration with metformin XR. Conclusion: Our systematic review indicates that metformin XR and IR formulations have similar effectiveness and safety, but that metformin XR is associated with improved compliance to treatment.

Background: It is common for high-risk, non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NUGIB) patients coexisting anemia, but the role of anemia on the prognosis of endoscopic intervention is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of hemoglobin level on outcomes of endoscopic intervention in high-risk NUGIB patients. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on high-risk (Glasgow-Blatchford score ≥7) NUGIB patients who underwent endoscopic intervention within 24h of presentation. Patients were divided into three groups based on hemoglobin level before intervention: severe (<7g/dl), moderate (7g/dl ≤hemoglobin <9g/dl) and mild (≥9g/dl) group. Outcomes included mortality, length of ICU stay, re-bleeding rate, procedural adverse events, length of hospital stay, adverse events and transfusion requirement. Results: A total of 156 patients received endoscopic intervention were identified, 88 in the severe group, 45 in the moderate group, and 23 in the mild group. The total mortality rate in 45 days was 2%, and the re-bleeding rate was 21%. There was no significant difference in mortality, re-bleeding rate or length of ICU stay among the three groups. The average days of hospitalization in the severe group was significantly longer than that of the moderate group (13 vs 8, P < 0.05). No adverse events occurred. Low hemoglobin level was a predictor for more red-cell transfusion (OR=5.94, 2.69-13.11) and plasma transfusion (OR=2.34,1.21-4.51). Conclusions: Anemia does not affect the mortality and rebleeding of endoscopic intervention in high-risk NUGIB patients, but is associated with more transfusion and longer hospitalization.

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP) varies in severity from a self-limiting mild condition to a severe life-threatening condition, and its severity is significantly correlated with higher risks of maternal and foetal death. This study evaluated the early predictive value of routine laboratory tests on the severity of APIP patients. We enrolled 100 patients with APIP in West China Hospital. Initial routine laboratory tests, including the biochemistry and hematologic tests were collected within 48 hours after the onset of APIP. For predicting SAP in AP, LDH had the highest specificity of 0.879. RDW was a suitable predictive marker as it had the sensitivity of 0.882. Lower levels of triglycerides (<4.72 mmol/L) predicted mild AP of APIP, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.724, and a negative predictive value of 0.80. Furthermore, a risk score was calculated based on white blood cells, neutrophils, RDW, LMR and LDH, as an independent marker (adjusted odds ratio = 3.013, 95% CI 1.893 to 4.797, P < 0.001), with the highest AUC of 0.906, a sensitivity of 0.875 and a specificity of 0.828. In conclusion, the risk score we recommended was the powerful marker to aid in the early prediction of the severity of APIP patients.