Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are promising treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors for AD treatment via the “Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation” approach. We identified 15 randomized controlled trials comparing oral or topical JAK inhibitors against placebo to treat AD. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, and the numbers-needed-to-treat (NNTs)/numbers-needed-to-harm (NNHs) were calculated. Patients treated with JAK inhibitors were associated with higher rates of achieving eczema area and severity index-75 (rate ratio (RR): 2.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.20–3.67; I2: 38.9%; NNT = 3.97), Investigator’s Global Assessment response (RR: 2.99; 95% CI: 2.26–3.95; I2: 0%; NNT = 5.72), and pruritus numerical rating scale response (RR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.90–3.35; I2: 39.4%; NNT = 4.91) than those treated with placebo. Moreover, patients treated with JAK inhibitors had a higher risk of treatment-emergent adverse events (RR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.28; I2: 52%; NNH = 14.80) but not adverse events leading to drug discontinuation. According to the evidence-based results, JAK inhibitors are potentially effective strategies (certainty of evidence: “moderate”) for treating AD with tolerable side effects (certainty of evidence: “low”). Nevertheless, long-term follow-up is required.

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Several conflicting results regarding the efficacy of 0.01% atropine in slowing axial elongation remain in doubt. To solve this issue and evaluate the safety of 0.01% atropine, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis with the latest evidence. The review included a total of 1178 participants (myopic children). The efficacy outcomes were the mean annual progression in standardized equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL). The safety outcomes included mean annual change in accommodative amplitude, photopic and mesopic pupil diameter. The results demonstrated that 0.01% atropine significantly retarded SER progression compared with the controls (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.28 diopter (D) per year; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.17, 0.38; p < 0.01), and axial elongation (WMD, −0.06 mm; 95% CI = −0.09, −0.03; p < 0.01) during the 1-year period. Patients receiving 0.01% atropine showed no significant changes in accommodative amplitude (WMD, −0.45 D; 95% CI = −1.80, 0.90; p = 0.51) but showed dilated photopic pupil diameter (WMD, 0.35 mm; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.68; p = 0.04) and mesopic pupil diameter (WMD, 0.20 mm; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.32; p < 0.01). In the subgroup analysis of SER progression, myopic children with lower baseline refraction (>−3 D) and older age (>10-year-old) obtained better responses with 0.01% atropine treatment. Furthermore, the European and multi-ethnicity groups showed greater effect than the Asian groups. In conclusion, 0.01% atropine had favorable efficacy and adequate safety for childhood myopia over a 1-year period.

IMPORTANCE Psoriasis, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) share similar mechanisms involving chronic inflammation. However, the associations between psoriasis and VTE or PVD are unclear.OBJECTIVE To determine the association of psoriasis with incident VTE and PVD.DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were systematically searched for relevant publications from their respective inception through May 21, 2021. No restrictions on language or geographic locations were imposed.STUDY SELECTION Two authors independently selected cohort studies that investigated the risk for incident VTE or PVD in patients with psoriasis. Any discrepancy was resolved through discussion with 2 senior authors until reaching consensus. Only 13 initially identified studies met the selection criteria for qualitative review, and only 9 of these for quantitative analysis. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESISThe Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline was followed. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Disagreements were resolved by discussion with 2 other authors. A random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with the corresponding confidence intervals for incident VTE and PVD. Subgroup analyses based on arthritis status, psoriasis severity, sex, and geographic location were also performed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Hazard ratios for incident VTE and PVD associated with psoriasis.RESULTS A total of 13 cohort studies with 12 435 982 participants were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significantly increased risk for incident VTE (pooled HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08-1.48) and PVD (pooled HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.16-1.40) among patients with psoriasis. Subgroup analyses illustrated increased risk for incident VTE among participants with psoriatic arthritis (pooled HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.53), women (pooled HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.36-2.61), and those in Asia (pooled HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.42-2.88) and Europe (pooled HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.53).CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This systematic review and meta-analysis found an increased risk for incident VTE and PVD among patients with psoriatic disease. Typical presentations of VTE or PVD should not be overlooked in patients with psoriasis. Risk factors, such as obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and varicose veins, should be identified and treated in patients with psoriasis, and medications like hormone-related therapies should be prescribed with caution.

Purpose Metformin is a biguanide derivative that is commonly used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). It demonstrates antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic activity within the ocular tissue and thus may be implicated in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, epidemiological studies have shown conflicting results. Methods The Ovid MEDLINE/Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception through August 3, 2022. Studies reporting the association between metformin use and odds of AMD were enrolled. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of AMD were extracted and pooled with random-effects model meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses based on AMD subtypes, ethnicity, study design, sex, and confirmation of AMD diagnosis were conducted. Results A total of 9 observational studies with 1,446,284 participants were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis showed that metformin use was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of AMD (pooled ORs = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70–0.93). Subgroup analyses revealed that metformin use was not significantly associated with dry or wet AMD. Black (pooled ORs = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.58–0.64) and Hispanic populations (pooled ORs = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.81–0.89) demonstrated significantly lower odds of AMD. Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis found that patients with DM with metformin usage were at lower odds of developing AMD. Future prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm this association.